Final answer:
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms that dictate the chemical reactions of molecules in organic chemistry. They are crucial for understanding molecular interactions and are recognized by specific structural features or nomenclature suffixes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. The ability to identify functional groups is crucial in organic chemistry, as it helps to understand how molecules will interact and react with one another.
Common functional groups include hydroxyl (-OH), found in alcohols; carboxyl (-COOH), found in carboxylic acids; amino (-NH2), found in amines; and carbonyl (C=O), found in ketones and aldehydes. These groups are often indicated by specific suffixes or prefixes in the systematic nomenclature of organic compounds. For example, alcohols end in -ol, ketones in -one, and carboxylic acids in -oic acid.
To correctly classify the functional groups in a molecule, you must examine the structure of the molecule and look for these characteristic groups. In practice exercises and real applications, this knowledge is applied to common medications and biomolecules such as amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats.