Types of Organic Compounds

The 4 principal classes of organic compounds found in all living organisms

Updated on November 25, 2019

Organic compounds are called "organic" because they are associated with living organisms. These molecules form the footing for life and are studied in peachy detail in the chemical science disciplines of organic chemistry and biochemistry.

There are iv main types, or classes, of organic compounds institute in all living things: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In addition, there are other organic compounds that may be found in or produced by some organisms. All organic compounds contain carbon, usually bonded to hydrogen (other elements may exist present as well). Let's take a closer look at the cardinal types of organic compounds and see examples of these of import molecules.

Carbohydrates—Organic Compounds

Spoons full of sugar cubes and powder sugar

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Carbohydrates are organic compounds made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The ratio of hydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms in carbohydrate molecules is 2:i. Organisms apply carbohydrates as free energy sources, structural units, and for other purposes. Carbohydrates are the largest class of organic compounds plant in organisms.

Carbohydrates are classified according to how many subunits they contain. Simple carbohydrates are chosen sugars. A carbohydrate made of 1 unit is a monosaccharide. If ii units are joined together, a disaccharide is formed. More complex structures form when these smaller units link to each other to form polymers. Examples of these larger saccharide compounds include starch and chitin.

Carbohydrate Examples:

  • Glucose
  • Fructose
  • Sucrose (table sugar)
  • Chitin
  • Cellulose
  • Glucose

Lipids—Organic Compounds

Close-up of a bottle of olive oil pouring into a bowl

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Lipids are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Lipids accept a higher hydrogen to oxygen ratio than is institute in carbohydrates. The three major groups of lipids are triglycerides (fats, oils, waxes), steroids, and phospholipids. Triglycerides consist of 3 fatty acids joined to a molecule of glycerol. Steroids each take a backbone of 4 carbon rings joined to each other. Phospholipids resemble triglycerides except there is a phosphate group in place of one of the fat acid chains.

Lipids are used for free energy storage, to build structures, and as signal molecules to assist cells communicate with each other.

Lipid Examples:

  • Cholesterol
  • Paraffin
  • Olive oil
  • Margarine
  • Cortisol
  • Estrogen
  • Phospholipid bilayer that forms the jail cell membrane

Proteins—Organic Compounds

Foods rich in protein

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Proteins consist of chains of amino acids called peptides. A protein may be made from a single polypeptide concatenation or may take a more complex structure where polypeptide subunits pack together to form a unit of measurement. Proteins consist of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen atoms. Some proteins contain other atoms, such as sulfur, phosphorus, iron, copper, or magnesium.

Proteins serve many functions in cells. They are used to build construction, catalyze biochemical reactions, for allowed response, to package and transport materials, and to help replicate genetic material.

Protein Examples:

  • Enzymes
  • Collagen
  • Keratin
  • Albumin
  • Hemoglobin
  • Myoglobin
  • Fibrin

Nucleic Acids—Organic Compounds

Conceptual image of DNA

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A nucleic acid is a type of biological polymer fabricated up of chains of nucleotide monomers. Nucleotides, in plow, are made upward of a nitrogenous base, sugar molecule, and phosphate group. Cells use nucleic acids to code the genetic data of an organism.

Nucleic Acid Examples:

  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
  • RNA (ribonucleic acrid)

Other Kinds of Organic Compounds

Close up of a biotin bottle spilling pills

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In addition to the four chief kinds of organic molecules constitute in organisms, at that place are many other organic compounds. These include solvents, drugs, vitamins, dyes, bogus flavors, toxins, and molecules used as precursors to biochemical compounds. Here are some examples:

  • Acetaldehyde
  • Acetaminophen
  • Acetone
  • Acetylene
  • Benzaldehyde
  • Biotin
  • Bromophenol blue
  • Caffeine
  • Carbon tetrachloride
  • Fullerene
  • Heptane
  • Methanol
  • Mustard gas
  • Vanillin