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Pattern Matching: Organic Molecules

The document discusses organic molecules found in living things. It notes that while living things contain around 10,000 molecule types, there are common molecular patterns and functions. The objectives are to learn about organic molecules, identify major classes, distinguish their features, and classify example molecules. The document then discusses the common atoms C, H, N, O, P, and S that make up organic molecules and follows with an exercise to sort unlabeled molecules into groups based on their structures.

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Mikal Perryman
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438 views7 pages

Pattern Matching: Organic Molecules

The document discusses organic molecules found in living things. It notes that while living things contain around 10,000 molecule types, there are common molecular patterns and functions. The objectives are to learn about organic molecules, identify major classes, distinguish their features, and classify example molecules. The document then discusses the common atoms C, H, N, O, P, and S that make up organic molecules and follows with an exercise to sort unlabeled molecules into groups based on their structures.

Uploaded by

Mikal Perryman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pattern Matching: Organic Molecules

What are living things made of? Common sense tells us that living things are somehow different
from non-living things, but how deep does that difference run? Are living things made from
different kinds of atoms and molecules than those in non-living things?
There may be as many as 10,000 different kinds of molecules in a living thing, but are there a
few common patterns and a few common functions?

Objectives:
Once you have completed these exercises you should be able to:
● Know what an organic molecule is and how it differs from an inorganic molecule.
● Identify the major classes of organic molecules.
● Identify the distinguishing features of each class of molecules.
● Given a typical example of an organic molecule, identify the class to which it belongs.

Pattern Matching
Table 1 reviews the most common atoms found in living organisms and some of their properties.
(These atoms also occur in non-living things.) As you work, notice if the atoms in your
molecules follow the indicated bonding patterns.
Table 1. CHNOPS: Common Elements in Living Things
Abbreviation Name Atomic Number Atomic Weight Usual # of Bonds
C carbon 6 12 4
H hydrogen 1 1 1
N nitrogen 7 14 3
O oxygen 8 16 2
P phosphorus 15 30 5
S sulfur 16 32 2, [4, 6]

adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at


http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 1
Identifying Categories of Biological Molecules
Exercise 1
The objects you will be sorting are basic building blocks (subunits) of common macromolecules
in living things. Do NOT refer to any notes or books during this exercise. Use your own
judgment in sorting.
Cut out the set of unlabeled molecules below. Organize the 42 cards into groups based upon
structural similarities. Pay special attention to:
• the elements (CHNOPS) in the molecule,
• the shape of the molecule,
• patterns within the molecule, and
• the ends of the molecule.

◊ How many groups of molecules do you have? _____

Explain your reasoning for creating these particular groups. (Quick-and-dirty sketches of
general molecule shapes can be part of your explanations.)

adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at


http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 2
adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at
http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 3
adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at
http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 4
adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at
http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 5
adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at
http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 6
adapted by Jennifer Sosnowski from an activity at
http://www.biologylessons.sdsu.edu/classes/lab6/lab6.html
page 7

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