2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

What is the reason carbon atoms are the most versatile building blocks of the molecules used by living organisms?

VISUAL SKILLS Identify the asymmetric carbon in this molecule:

VISUAL SKILLS Which of the molecules shown in question 5 has an asymmetric carbon? Which carbon is asymmetric?

A molecule has one carbon-carbon double bond and four monovalent atoms or groups. How many different cis-trans isomers exist for this molecule?

A straight-chain carbon compound constructed from __________ must contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond.

Stanley Miller's experiments were significant because he demonstrated that __________.

The carbon atom possesses __________ valence electron(s).

What is the three-dimensional shape created by hybrid orbitals that are formed when a carbon atom is covalently bonded with four other atoms?

Using modern equipment, a former graduate student of Stanley Miller recently reanalyzed the sample results of volcano simulation experiments that Miller conducted along with his classic experiment described in the text. This reanalysis did which of the following?

VISUAL SKILLS Visualize the structural formula of each of the following hydrocarbons. Which hydrocarbon has a double bond in its carbon skeleton?a. C3H8b. C2H6c. C2H4d. C2H2

Which of the following are properties of hydrocarbons?

Organic chemistry is currently defined asa. the study of compounds made only by living cells.b. the study of carbon compounds.c. the study of natural (as opposed to synthetic) compounds.d. the study of hydrocarbons.

Which of the following is an organic molecule?

The two compounds


are related to each other by being __________.