Structure Of Carbon- the carbon molecule has 4 valence electrons, which means that it can have 4 other molecules bonded to it in a single bond. Carbon's unique structure is why it is one of the necessary items for life.
Carbon atoms act as intersection points for other molecules so that they can branch off to connect with other molecules. Functional Groups- a specific configuration of atoms commonly attached to the carbon skeletons of organic molecules and involved in chemical reactions. These are the chemical groups most important to life, as their arrangement and number help give each organic molecule its unique properties
Examples: Hydroxyl Groups, Carbonyl Groups, Carboxyl Groups, Amino groups, etc... Hydrocarbons- all of the functional groups mentioned consist of Hydrocarbons. Atoms of Hydrogen that are attached to the carbon body for available covalent bonding. They may not be the basic building block for living organisms like carbon, but they do have a space in their molecules for only carbon and hydrogen. Example of a Hydrocarbon seen at left-
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