Question

Which statement is true of organic molecules?

(a) An organic molecule can have many functional groups.
(b) Some organic molecules contain carbon atoms; others do not.
(c) Organic molecules are only made by living organisms.
Both (a) and (b).
(a), (b), and (c).

Answer 1

The true statement about organic molecules is that they can contain multiple functional groups. All organic molecules contain carbon, and while they are linked to living organisms, they can also be synthesized artificially.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about organic molecules is (a) An organic molecule can have many functional groups. Organic molecules are fundamentally compounds of carbon with other elements, primarily hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Each organic molecule can feature multiple functional groups, such as hydroxyls, carboxyls, aminos, or phosphates, which determine their physical and chemical properties.

All organic molecules contain carbon (statement b is incorrect as they must contain carbon), and while they are predominantly found in living organisms, they can also be synthesized in laboratories (making statement c incorrect).

Organic compounds can range from simple ones, like methane, where a carbon atom is bonded to four hydrogen atoms, to very complex macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleotides that make up the structures and functions of living organisms.

Answer 2

The correct answer is:

(a) An organic molecule can have many functional groups.

Explaination:

(a) is true because organic molecules can indeed have multiple functional groups. Functional groups are specific arrangements of atoms within a molecule that give it particular chemical properties.

(b) is not necessarily true because all organic molecules do contain carbon atoms. Carbon is a fundamental element in organic chemistry, and organic molecules are defined by the presence of carbon.

(c) is not true because organic molecules can be synthesized in laboratories and are not exclusively produced by living organisms.