For this tutorial, you are going to look at carbon-based compounds that are essential for life.  You will be doing several readings about these compounds and then answering some questions.  You may use your textbook or outside sources.  The questions will require you to explain what the compounds are, why they are important, and some of the processes by which they are formed.  If you would like to create a diagram to help answer the questions, you may do so.  You will need to answer the questions on a separate document, and then hand them in when you are finished.  Whatever you do not finish today will become homework.

Carbon Review

As a quick review, answer the questions below about carbon.  These questions are important because they will remind you of what it is about the element carbon and it’s atomic structure that make it so important for life.  Check in your textbook if you need help with the answers.

1. How many valence electrons does carbon contain?
2. What type of chemical bonds does carbon form with other elements?
3. Why is carbon so stable when bonded with other elements?

Carbon Chains – Carbohydrates

Read the following short articles about carbohydrates.  When you have finished, answer the questions below.  Make sure that you read the notes in parentheses after the websites – they explain exactly what you need to read!  You may also want to use your textbook as an additional source to help you answer the questions.

1. Article #1 (ONLY read the carbohydrate section!)
2. Article #3 (Focus on the “Basic Principles” for both condensation and hydrolysis.)

Article Questions

1. Define monosaccharide, disaccharide and polysaccharide.  Be sure to explain the structure of each, as well as what they are.
2. Explain the difference between hydrolysis and condensation in carbohydrates.  Include in your answer a description of both processes, as well as an explanation of how they differ (including by-products of the reaction).
3. Explain the difference in structure AND function between starch and cellulose.  You should fully explain the structure and function of each in your answer.
4. Explain why carbohydrates are so important for life.  In your answer you should mention the different structures and functions of the various carbohydrate molecules (monomer and macromolecules).  You might need to do a little outside research to answer this question!