what is a functional group in bio
A functional group is a portion of a molecule that is a recognizable/classified group of bound. atoms. In organic chemistry it is very common to see molecules comprised mainly of a carbon. backbone with functional groups attached to the chain. The functional group gives the molecule. its properties, regardless of what molecule contains it*; they are centers of chemical reactivity. The functional groups within a molecule need to be identified when naming. *Definition taken from Lecture Supplement, First Edition by Steven Hardinger, Copyright 2008.