2.5 Life is Carbon Based

organic compounds

a group of molecules that include at least one carbon atom; most have carbon-hydrogen bonds and carbon-carbon bonds. They are widely used by living organisms

functional groups

a small group of atoms bonded together in a particular precise configuration and exhibiting particular chemical properties that it imparts to any organic molecule in which it occurs

carbonyl

groups found on molecules such as acetaldehyde and acetone

hydroxyl groups

groups that act as weak acids

phosphate groups

carry negative charges on two of their oxygen mass

sulfhydryl groups

sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom

macromolecules

large molecules that are made up of smaller molecular subunits joined together

monomer

a molecular subunit used to build a macromolecule

polymer

when a large number of monomers are bonded together