FUNCTIONAL GROUPS OF ORGANIC MOLECULES

Hydroxyl

major class: alcohols
properties: polar, helps dissolve organic molecules, facilitates dehydration synthesis

Carbonyl

major classes: aldehydes, ketones

properties: major building blocks of carbohydrates, supplies energy for cellular activities

Carboxyl

major class: carboxylic acids

properties: gives organic molecules acidic properties because its -OH groups releases H+ in aq solutions, converting the molecule from a NON-ionized form to an ionized form

Amino

major class: amines

properties: acts as an organic base by accepting a H+, converting the molecule from an IONIZED form to a non-ionized form

Phosphate

major class: organic phosphates

properties: acts as weak acids because both OH groups can release their H+, converting them from a NON-ionized form to an ionized form. they can also bridge 2 organic building blocks to form a larger structure, and can be added/removed to converse/release energy or to alter activity.

Sulfhydryl

major class: thiols
properties: easily converted into a covalent linkage where it loses its H+ to bind. 2 sulhydryl groups form a DISULFIDE LINKAGE.