Chapter 3: Problem 6

What features distinguish between organic and inorganic molecules?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Organic molecules are primarily composed of carbon-hydrogen bonds and can create complex structures due to carbon's ability to form four bonds. On the other hand, inorganic molecules do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. They can be composed of other elements and can be either simple or complex structures.

Step by step solution

Define Organic Molecules

Organic molecules are a type of molecules which contain carbon atoms. Carbon atoms are unique because they can form four chemical bonds which allows them to create complex structures. Moreover, organic molecules are primarily composed of carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Define Inorganic Molecules

In contrast, inorganic molecules are molecules that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. They are composed of other elements and can be simple or complex structures. Some examples include water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and minerals like iron or potassium.

Discuss Common Features and Differences

The primary difference between organic and inorganic molecules is the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds in organic molecules. While inorganic molecules can contain carbon like in CO2, they lack the carbon-hydrogen bond. Moreover, organic molecules tend to be more complex due to carbon's ability to form four bonds. This allows for complex structures like proteins and DNA to form.

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What features distinguish between organic and inorganic molecules?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Organic Molecules

Define Inorganic Molecules

Discuss Common Features and Differences

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