organic molecule
Life's chemical building-block
An organic molecule is a molecule containing carbon atoms bonded to other elements, typically hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
The term comes from early chemistry, when such compounds were thought to derive only from living organisms.
Carbon's ability to form long chains and complex structures makes organic molecules the basis of all known life—proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and DNA are all organic molecules.
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- carbon chainBonded atoms in organic molecules
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- covalent bondShared-electron atomic link
- double bondTwo shared electron pairs
protein · amino acid · lipid · carbohydrate · enzyme · DNA · RNA · glucose · polymer · bond · chain · cell · metabolism · synthesis · compound · nitrogen · oxygen · biochemistry
- space moleculescarbon monoxide, water, methanol, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide
- biosignaturesbiosignatures, biomarkers, oxygen, methane, ozone