AP Biology Name _________________________
Chapter 4 Guided Reading Assignment
We will be moving through the material very quickly, please see me for extra assistance if needed.
1. Why is organic chemistry so important in the study of biology?

2. Why was the Urey-Miller experiment so important?

3. What is special about carbon that makes it the central atom in the chemistry of life?

4. Use the diagram below to label and contrast the three types of isomers.

5. Fill in the following below: after each functional group – draw the structure, write an example and note the functional properties – (doesn’t this look like great quiz material?)
a. Hydroxyl

b. Carbonyl

c. Carboxyl

d. Amino

e. Sulfhydryl

f. Phosphate

6. What simple rule can you use to identify the following-the first one is done for you!

carbohydrates Look for a 1:2:1 C:H:O ratio. Many carbohydrates will contain no P, N, or S. lipids Look for a 1:2 ratio of C:H and only very small amounts of O. Most will contain no S. Phospholipids can contain P and N (as part of the choline group; see Figure 5.13 in Biology, 7th edition).

proteins

lipids

nucleic acids

DNA vs. RNA