Section 3
Carbon
Book
Version 32
By Boundless
By Boundless
Boundless Biology
Biology
by Boundless
5 concepts
The Chemical Basis for Life
Carbon is the most important element to living things because it can form many different kinds of bonds and form essential compounds.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18540/square/figure-02-03-01f.jpeg)
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are important molecules that can form chains and rings due to the bonding patterns of carbon atoms.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18544/square/figure-02-03-05.jpeg)
Organic Isomers
Isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula but have different structures, which creates different properties in the molecules.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18545/square/figure-02-03-06.jpeg)
Organic Enantiomers
Enantiomers share the same chemical structure and bonds but differ in the placement of atoms such that they are mirror images of each other.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/18546/square/figure-02-03-07.jpeg)
Functional Groups
Functional groups are groups of molecules attached to organic molecules and give them specific identities or functions.