Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781305073951
Author: Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 3, Problem 1SQ

Organic molecules consist mainly of ______ atoms.

  1. a. carbon
  2. b. carbon and oxygen
  3. c. carbon and hydrogen
  4. d. carbon and nitrogen
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Summary Introduction

Introduction: The molecules that are majorly composed of carbon and hydrogen are classified by chemists as organic molecules. The basis of life is the organic compounds that make it up. Organic chemistry is the study of these compounds. The methodology of synthesis of these compounds is called as organic synthesis.

Answer to Problem 1SQ

Correct answer: The organic compounds are those that consist majorly of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Hence, the correct answer is option c.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

The living organisms are composed of several molecules. They are called as molecules of life. The molecules of life include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, and many more. They are made of organic molecules, which mainly consist majorly of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The organic molecules also have oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus atoms in a minor form. These organic molecules are also found in the non-living things.

Option c. is given as “carbon and hydrogen”.

The organic compounds consist mainly of both carbon and hydrogen atoms that are present in different proportions to form various functional groups.

Hence the correct answer is option c.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option a. is given as “carbon”.

Though the carbon atoms majorly constitute the organic compounds, chemists define organic compounds as those with both carbon and hydrogen atoms. Hence, option a.  is incorrect.

Option b. is given as “carbon and oxygen”.

Certain organic molecules like carboxylic acids, carbonyl functions groups, aldehyde groups, and ketone groups contain both carbon and oxygen atoms; oxygen is present in lesser amount than hydrogen. Hence, option b. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as “carbon and nitrogen”.

Certain organic molecules like amino acids, nucleic acids, phospholipids, amides, amines, nitrile, and imine functional groups.   Hence, option d. is incorrect.

Hence the options a., b., and d are incorrect.

Conclusion
Organic compounds are mainly made up of carbon and hydrogen along with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

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