Functional Groups

Hydroxyl

-ol, alcohol

Sulfhydryl

Consists of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen .Resembles a hydroxyl group in shape. Incredibly important in protein structure, two sulfhydryl groups can stabilize it by forming a ʻcross-linkʼ

Sulfhydryl

Thiol

Carboxyl

acid, donates H+

Hydroxyl

alcohols; polar, can form bonds with water which helps dissolve organic compounds

Amino

amines; acts as a base (can pick up H⁺), ionized with a +1 charge under cellular conditions;

Amino

base, accepts H+

Carboxyl

carboxylic acids, organic acids; has acidic properties

Carboxyl

forms formic acid

Carbonyl

ketones & aldehydes; ketones & aldehydes may be structural isomers, found in sugars;

Methyl

methylated compounds;Addition of a methyl group to DNA affects the expression of genes. Arrangement of methyl groups in male and female sex hormones affects their shape and function

Phosphate

organic phosphates, energy; contributes to negative charge of a molecule, has the potential to react with H₂O to release energy (ATP, NADP, etc.);