Molecular biology

Basic Building Blocks of Life Organic Molecules Organic molecules contain carbon and hydrogen atoms Both atoms can form hydrocarbon chains and rings The four major classes of organic molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. ? Functional groups Functional groups are reactive molecules that usually contain oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur They are responsible for some of the unique properties of a molecule Some examples of functional groups Alcohols Aldehyde Amides Carboxyl groups Ketones Carbohydrates (basic building blocks of life) Carbohydrates These are organic molecules that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen Their general formula is CnH2nOn Carbohydrates are a source of energy Carbohydrates are also known as sugars They have a suffix of ?ose?