Organic Chemistry And Its Differences From Other Branches Of Chemistry

Alkanes
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Discussion Question 1: What are the differences between alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes?
Alkanes are the simplest form of saturated and acyclic hydrocarbons and have only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Acyclic hydrocarbons do not have cycles in their chain, and saturated hydrocarbons have the maximum number of hydrogen possible (Chemistry LibreTexts, 2019). Alkanes only contain single links, and their general formula is CnH2n + 2. Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons that have one or several carbon-carbon double bonds in their molecule. Their general formula is CnH2n. Alkynes are aliphatic hydrocarbons with at least one triple bond between two carbon atoms. The general formula of alkynes is CnH2n-2.
Carbon has 4 electrons in the valence shell and tends to achieve the stable configuration of a noble gas with 8 electrons in that shell. As such, each carbon will form three more bonds. There is the double bond with another carbon, represented by two lines, and the triple bond with another carbon, represented by three stripes (≡).
What are the differences between cis- and trans-isomers of alkenes?
Cis- trans isomers have the same chain with the same functions in the same positions, but since the molecule is rigid, there may be two functional groups closer in space (cis) or further apart (trans). The rigidity of the molecule is mostly due to the presence of a double bond and a ring. Cis- -isomers, the carbon atoms are adjacent or next to each other, unlike the trans-isomers where the atoms can be across or opposite from each other (Chemistry LibreTexts, 2020). Double bonds cause some alkenes to have isomerism.
How are cis-trans isomers used for night vision?
Light causes all-trans-retinal to become r...