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Functional groups make life
possible by altering and enhancing the chemical
and/or physical properties of organic compounds
and increasing the range of functions of organic
molecules.
Living things are composed primarily
of water and organic compounds. Hydrocarbons without
functional groups do not dissolve in water ("water
and oil do not mix"). However, most functional
groups are polar or ionic, and do dissolve in
water. Therefore, functional groups attached to
hydrocarbons enhance the chemical reactivity of
hydrocarbons.
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