Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is 'b. they must contain carbon' because organic molecules, which are essential to all living things, are defined by the presence of carbon atoms in their structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The true statement about organic molecules is that b. they must contain carbon. While it is true that organic molecules are primarily associated with living organisms, they can also form through geological and artificial processes. These molecules include a wide variety of structures, commonly with carbon atoms bonded to other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and more. The simplest example of an organic molecule is methane, with carbon bound to four hydrogen atoms.
Organic compounds play a crucial role in biology and are found in all living things. They include the four major classes of molecules important for life: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Moreover, these molecules have unique structures, often consisting of chains or rings of carbon atoms, which can form complex structures vital for the functions that support life.