The Chemical Level

Question 1

TABLE 2.5
Major Functional Groups of Organic Molecules
NAME AND
STRUCTURAL OCCURRENCE AND FORMULA* SIGNIFICANCE
Hydroxyl Alcohols contain an OOH group, which is polar
ROH
and hydrophilic due to its electronegative O atom. Molecules with many OOH groups dissolve easily in water.
Sulfhydryl
RSH
Thiols have an OSH group, which is polar and hydrophilic due to its electronegative S atom. Certain amino acids (for example, cysteine) contain OSH groups, which help stabilize the shape of proteins.
Carbonyl
O RCR
or
O RCH
Ketones contain a carbonyl group within the carbon skeleton. The carbonyl group is polar and hydrophilic due to its electronegative O atom.
Aldehydes have a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon skeleton.
Carboxyl Carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl group at the end of O the carbon skeleton. All amino acids have a OCOOH
R C OH
or
O
R C O

Answer 1

TABLE 2.5
Major Functional Groups of Organic Molecules
NAME AND
STRUCTURAL OCCURRENCE AND FORMULA* SIGNIFICANCE
Hydroxyl Alcohols contain an OOH group, which is polar
ROH
and hydrophilic due to its electronegative O atom. Molecules with many OOH groups dissolve easily in water.
Sulfhydryl
RSH
Thiols have an OSH group, which is polar and hydrophilic due to its electronegative S atom. Certain amino acids (for example, cysteine) contain OSH groups, which help stabilize the shape of proteins.
Carbonyl
O RCR
or
O RCH
Ketones contain a carbonyl group within the carbon skeleton. The carbonyl group is polar and hydrophilic due to its electronegative O atom.
Aldehydes have a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon skeleton.
Carboxyl Carboxylic acids contain a carboxyl group at the end of O the carbon skeleton. All amino acids have a OCOOH
R C OH
or
O
R C O