Understanding Chem for AP Bio

<p>I can't seem to understand the chemistry for AP Bio like the orbitals, and the structure of molecules. They say that structure = function so I should know how they are positioned right? Is there an easy way to determine molecule structure by looking at the 2d picture? Also, am I suppose to memorize hydroxl, carbonyl, and all of the other functional groups etc.? Are there easy ways to memorize these?</p>

<p>I'd memorize the functional groups. It really doesn't take that long and will possibly help you on the test, and for sure in college. For orbitals however, that's definitely not on the test. I'm completely awful at the orbitals and I got a 5 on AP Bio. I know my teacher used the phrase "form fits function", and that really seemed to help me. Don't worry about the specific shapes, just realize that the shape matters to what they affect. I mean, realize each enzyme works only on a specific substrate, and you should be fine in that category.</p>

<p>know your functional groups.</p>

<p>know water.</p>

<p>you should know van der Waals, ionic/covalent bonds, hydrogen bonding.</p>

<p>I'm not sure you need to know that much about orbitals for Biochem.</p>

<p>Is there nomenclature for these functional groups? That way I can remember them better and be able to to define others too.</p>