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Carbon quiz #2 Flashcards

Carbon quiz #2
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  • Which organisms form the foundation of the carbon cycle?
    Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria form the foundation of the carbon cycle by converting carbon dioxide into organic matter through photosynthesis.
  • What are the four classes of organic molecules that carbon is a main component of?
    The four classes of organic molecules that carbon is a main component of are carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
  • What is the defining feature of hydrocarbons?
    Hydrocarbons are organic molecules that consist solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
  • Why is carbon considered an excellent building block for molecules?
    Carbon is considered an excellent building block because it can form four covalent bonds, allowing for diverse molecular structures.
  • What are the four ways carbon backbones can vary?
    Carbon backbones can vary in length, position of double bonds, branch points, and whether they are linear or ring forms.
  • What makes a molecule an organic molecule?
    A molecule is considered organic if it contains covalently linked carbon and hydrogen atoms.
  • What is the most abundant element in living systems, excluding water?
    Excluding water, carbon is the most abundant element in living systems.
  • What is the difference between organic molecules and hydrocarbons?
    Organic molecules contain covalently linked carbon and hydrogen atoms and may include other elements, while hydrocarbons consist only of carbon and hydrogen.
  • How does the position of double bonds affect carbon backbones?
    The position of double bonds can vary within carbon backbones, affecting the molecule's structure and properties.
  • What is an example of a hydrocarbon?
    Methane is an example of a hydrocarbon, as it is composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
  • Why is carbon considered the most important element in organic molecules found in living organisms?
    Carbon is the most important element in organic molecules because it is the main component of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, and its ability to form four covalent bonds allows for a wide variety of molecular structures essential for life.
  • How do hydrocarbons differ from other organic molecules?
    Hydrocarbons are organic molecules composed only of carbon and hydrogen atoms, while other organic molecules may also contain additional elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus.
  • What property of carbon allows it to serve as a versatile building block for a variety of molecules?
    Carbon's ability to form four covalent bonds allows it to create diverse molecular structures, making it a versatile building block.
  • Why is water (H2O) not considered an organic molecule?
    Water is not considered an organic molecule because it does not contain covalently linked carbon and hydrogen atoms.
  • How does the ability of carbon to form different backbone structures contribute to biological diversity?
    The ability of carbon to form various backbone structures—differing in length, branching, double bond position, and ring formation—enables the creation of a vast array of organic molecules, supporting the complexity and diversity of life.