what is meant by the term functional group
Functional group. In organic chemistry, functional groups are lexicon-specific groups of atoms or bonds within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of. specific grouping of elements that is characteristic of a class of compounds, and determines some properties and reactions of that class. functional group (Noun). A collection of organisms of specific morphological, physiological, behavioral, biochemical properties.