Hydrogen atoms are usually not drawn. Since we know Carbon needs four bonds, we just assume any "missing" bonds are attached to invisible Hydrogens. 3. Functional Groups: The Personality Traits

Your DNA, your muscles, and the scent of a flower are all just organic molecules interacting based on their shapes. Summary of Basics Carbon is the backbone and always makes 4 bonds.

Organic Chemistry for Dummies: The "Legos of Life" Guide Organic chemistry has a scary reputation, but at its heart, it is just the study of and how it builds the world around us. Think of it as the ultimate Lego set where every molecule is a different structure built from the same few types of bricks. 1. The Main Character: Carbon

Makes things polar and often soluble in water (like the ethanol in drinks or rubbing alcohol).

These make things sour or acidic (like the vinegar in your pantry).

Naming sounds hard, but it’s just a prefix system based on the number of carbons in a chain: (1 Carbon) - Methane Eth- (2 Carbons) - Ethane Prop- (3 Carbons) - Propane But- (4 Carbons) - Butane