Functional Groups

Amino

R-NH2

Amino Structure

Amino ionized form

Amino Properties

Basic

Polar

Amino acids, bases of nucleic acid

Amino commonly found in

Carboxyl

R-COOH

Carboxyl structure

Carboxyl Ionized

Carboxyl properties

Polar

Acidic

Amino acids, fatty acids, other acids

Carboxyl commonly found in

Carbonyl

R-CO-R

Carbonyl structure

Carbonyl properties

Polar

Sugars, proteins, bases of nucleic acids

Carbonyl commonly found in

Hydroxyl

R-OH

Hydroxyl structure

Hydroxyl properties

Polar

Sugars and alcohols

Hydroxyl commonly found in

Phosphate

R-PO4

Phosphate structure

Phosphate ionized

Phosphate properties

Acidic

Polar

Phospholipids in membranes, DNA backbone, ATP, role in regulation

Phosphate commonly found in

Methyl

R-CH3

Methyl structure

Methyl properties

Nonpolar

Fatty acid chains, imprint on DNA for regulation

Methyl commonly found in