Download Functional Groups List

Functional Groups
(Common reactive groups on organic molecules)
Hydroxyl (alcohol) group
Strongly polar, highly reactive with oher
groups in forming covalent bonds, particularly
in condensation (dehydration) reactions.
Carbonyl groups
Weakly polar, highly reactive.. Important groups in sugars.
Aldehyde
More reactive than ketones. Found in
sugars like glucose.
Ketone
due
Found between
Strongly polar; ionizes in solution to release H+, which means it's
acidic. Found in sugars, fatty acids, and proteins Important in
bonds between glycerol and fatty acids, and with amino groups in
proteins.
Carboxyl group
Polar; basic because it combines with H+ to produce
NH3, a base. Importnat in forming peptide bonds in and
hydrogen bonds in proteins.
Amino group
Phosphate group
parts
in activating
Sulfhydryl
Methyl
Can form hydrogen bonds with other groups
to weak polarity. Impt in making hydrogen bonds
nearby chains in proteins. Found in sugars like fructose.
Polar and acidic; forms linking bridge between
of DNA, RNA, and ATP; high energy bond
between adjacent phosphates holds energy.
Phosphorylation or dephosphorylation important
biological molecules.
Relatively non-polar but readily oxidized to
combine with other -SH groups to form a disulfide
(-S-S-) bond. Important in stabilizing molecules,
especially in protein structure.
Non-
polar, commonly found at the end of
hydrocarbon chains, especially lipids. Makes a
molecule less water soluble.