Which of the following is an organic molecule? C6H12O6 H2O NaCl CaCO3
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The organic molecule in the list is C6H12O6.
Organic molecules are primarily composed of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes other elements like sulfur or phosphorus. Carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds are a hallmark of organic compounds.
Let’s break down the compounds you provided:
- C6H12O6 is glucose, a simple sugar. It contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and has carbon-hydrogen bonds, making it an organic compound. Glucose is a key molecule in biology, serving as a primary energy source in living organisms.
- H2O is water. While it contains hydrogen and oxygen, it has no carbon atoms, and thus, it is not considered an organic compound. Water is an inorganic molecule and is essential for life but is not classified as organic.
- NaCl is sodium chloride (table salt). This compound contains sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), both of which are inorganic elements. Since it has no carbon-hydrogen bonds, it is not an organic molecule.
- CaCO3 is calcium carbonate (found in limestone and marble). It contains calcium (Ca), carbon (C), and oxygen (O), but it does not have carbon-hydrogen bonds, so it is an inorganic compound.
In summary, the defining feature of an organic molecule is the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds, and among the options provided, C6H12O6 (glucose) is the only organic molecule.
