Organic compounds are complex compounds of carbon with hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. They form chains of varying length and shape and are associated with fundamental life processes such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. These compounds are found in living organisms and can also be created from simple inorganic proteins. Carbohydrates store and transport energy, while proteins are composed of amino acids and are water-soluble. Lipids are insoluble in water and store energy, protect organs, and provide insulation. Nucleic acids are universal in all living organisms and were discovered in 1871.
Organic compounds are the complex compounds of carbon. Because carbon atoms bond easily with each other, the basis of most organic compounds are carbon chains that vary in length and shape. Hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen atoms are the most common atoms which are generally attached to carbon atoms. Each carbon atom has 4 as its valence number which increases the complexity of the compounds that are formed. Since carbon atoms are capable of making double and triple bonds with other atoms, the likelihood of variation in the molecular composition of organic compounds also increases.
All living things are composed of intricate systems of inorganic and organic compounds. For example, there are many types of organic compounds found in nature, such as hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are the molecules that form when carbon and hydrogen combine. They are insoluble in water and are easily distributed. There are also aldehydes – the molecular association of a double bonded oxygen molecule and a carbon atom.
There are many classes of organic compounds. Originally, they were believed to come only from living organisms. However, in the mid-1800s, it became clear that they could also be created from simple inorganic proteins. However, many of the organic compounds are associated with fundamental life processes, such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids.
Carbohydrates are carbohydrates and include sugars. They are quite numerous and fulfill a number of roles for living organisms. For example, carbohydrates are responsible for storing and transporting energy, maintaining the structure of plants and animals, and aiding in the functioning of the immune system, blood clotting and fertilization, just to name a few.
Proteins are a class of organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. Proteins are water soluble. The protein itself is made up of subunits called amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids found in nature: organisms can convert from one to another for all but eight amino acids.
Lipids comprise a class of organic compounds that are insoluble in water or other polar solvents; however, they are soluble in organic solvents. Lipids are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and a variety of other elements. Lipids store energy, protect internal organs, provide insulation in cold temperatures, among other characteristics. Lipids can be divided into several groups ranging from triglycerides, steroids, waxes and phospholipids.
Nucleic acids are another group of organic compounds. They are universal in all living organisms. In fact, they are found in cells and viruses. Some people may not consider a virus to be a living thing. Friedrich Miescher discovered nucleic acids in 1871.
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