KEY TAKEAWAYS •
Organic chemistry involves primarily carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms in molecules, although there are nitrogen, chlorine, bromine, and other molecules as well.
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There is specific nomenclature that defines all organic molecules based on their basic structures, even though many common molecules will have common names.
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There are specific functional groups that help define an organic molecule and that control whether or not they are reactive in an organic chemical reaction.
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The main biochemical molecules are proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and fatty acids or lipids.
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