Final answer:
In organic chemistry, the functional group is the set of atoms or groups of atoms attached to the carbon skeleton of an organic compound that often determine its properties. These functional groups determine the chemical reactivity of the molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
In organic chemistry, the functional group is the set of atoms or groups of atoms attached to the carbon skeleton of an organic compound that often determine its properties. These functional groups determine the chemical reactivity of the molecule. For example, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is a common functional group in alcohols, which imparts their characteristic properties and reactivity.