My text has a review of some chemistry before getting into the biology bit. I have come to a question "what are 3 characteristics/features of an organic compound." My book seems to only have the general they all have carbon. The rest goes into depth about the different classes and hydrocarbons and stuff. Can anyone tell me some cool stuff about organic compounds other than they have carbon? Or, point me to a site with this info?

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "organic compounds" to get these possible sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_compound
http://library.thinkquest.org/3659/orgchem/organicchemistry.html
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/orgpropsmenu.html
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Organic+compounds
http://www.cem.msu.edu/~reusch/VirtTxtJml/nomen1.htm

In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.

I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.

Certainly! Organic compounds are a fundamental topic in both chemistry and biology. While the presence of carbon is a defining characteristic of organic compounds, there are several other noteworthy features that help distinguish them. Here are three characteristics/features of organic compounds:

1. Carbon-Hydrogen (C-H) Bonds: Organic compounds predominantly consist of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. The presence of C-H bonds contributes to the unique chemical behavior and properties of organic compounds.

2. Covalent Bonding: Organic compounds usually form covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms. This bonding type allows organic compounds to have a vast and diverse range of structures and complexities.

3. Functional Groups: Organic compounds often contain specific groups of atoms called functional groups. These groups impart distinct chemical properties and reactions to the organic compounds. Familiarizing yourself with these functional groups is crucial for understanding the behavior and reactivity of different organic compounds.

To explore more about organic compounds and their features, I suggest referring to reliable online resources like:

1. Khan Academy: Khan Academy provides comprehensive explanations and video tutorials on various chemistry topics, including organic compounds. Their Organic Chemistry section covers an introduction to organic compounds, their properties, and relevant examples.

2. Master Organic Chemistry: The Master Organic Chemistry website offers in-depth articles, study guides, and practice problems related to organic chemistry. It is a valuable resource for gaining a deeper understanding of organic compounds and their characteristics.

Remember, organic chemistry is a vast subject, and delving into specific classes of organic compounds can provide even more fascinating details.