the study of carbon compounds

Organic molecules consisting of only carbon and hydrogen

compounds that have the same numbers of atoms of the same elements but different structures/properties

differ in covalent partners

differ in arrangement about a double bond.

isomers that are mirror images of each other; they differ in spatial arrangement around the asymmetric carbon, resulting in molecules that are mirror images, like left and right hands.  The two isomers are designated L (levo) and D (dextro) isomers.  They CANNOT be superimposed on each other.

a specific configuration of atoms commonly attached to the carbon skeletons of organic molecules and usually involved in chemical reactions.

7 most important: hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate, and methyl groups

All but methyl are hydrophilic functional groups