functional group

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

Noun[edit]

functional group (plural functional groups)

  1. (organic chemistry) A specific grouping of elements that is characteristic of a class of compounds, and determines some properties and reactions of that class.
    Various functional groups often occur in biomolecules.
  2. (ecology) A collection of organisms of specific morphological, physiological, behavioral, biochemical properties.

Translations[edit]