heteroatoms
atoms besides carbon and hydrogen
Heteroatoms are atoms that are not carbon or hydrogen in organic molecules. These atoms can include but are not limited to nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. They play an important role in the properties and functions of organic molecules.
For example, nitrogen is commonly found in organic molecules such as amino acids, nucleic acids, and alkaloids, where it contributes to the overall structure and function. Oxygen is frequently found in functional groups such as alcohol, carbonyl, carboxyl, and ether, adding polarity and reactivity to the molecule.
Sulfur is found in amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, forming disulfide bonds that contribute to protein structure. Phosphorus is commonly found in nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
The presence of heteroatoms can significantly impact the physical and chemical properties of organic molecules, such as boiling and melting points, solubility, acidity or basicity, and chemical reactivity. Therefore, understanding the role of heteroatoms is crucial in many fields of science, including chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, and materials science.
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