AP Biology Functional Groups

Phosphate Group

(-PO₄): Polar and negatively charged; helps transfer energy. Example: ATP.

Amino Group

(-NH₂): Polar and acts as a base by accepting H⁺. Polar

Hydroxyl Group

(-OH): Polar and forms hydrogen bonds. Example: alcohols and sugars like glucose.

Carbonyl Group

A (C=O) is found in sugars and helps make molecules more reactive.

ex. Polar and found in sugars and ketones. Example: glucose.

Sulfhydryl

A (-SH) helps stabilize proteins by forming bonds between parts of a protein.

ex. Creates disulfide bridges stability in Protein strucures. Polar

Carboxyl Group

(-COOH): Polar and acidic; can donate H⁺.

ex. amino acids.

Methyl Group

(-CH₃): Nonpolar and hydrophobic. Example: DNA and fats.

C-OH

Hydroxyl

C=O

Carbohyrdrates

O=C-OH

Carboxyl

C-N-H3

Amino Acid

C-SH

Sulfhydryl

PO4

Phostate

CH3

Methyl