Question

Which element is always present in organic compounds?

• A. Hydrogen
• B. Carbon
• C. Oxygen
• D. Nitrogen

Hint:

Carbon is called the backbone element of organic chemistry because of its remarkable catenation property—the ability to form long chains and rings.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand organic compounds.
Organic chemistry is the study of compounds that contain carbon. The huge family of organic compounds all share carbon as their main element.

Step 2: Recall why carbon is special.
Carbon atoms can join with each other and with many other elements through strong covalent bonds. This lets them form millions of different compounds.

Step 3: Look at some examples.
Methane ($CH_4$), ethanol ($C_2H_5OH$) and acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$) are all organic, and every one of them contains carbon.

Step 4: Check hydrogen.
Hydrogen is in most organic compounds, but not all. For example, carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) has no hydrogen, yet it is still organic.

Step 5: Check oxygen and nitrogen.
Oxygen and nitrogen appear only in some groups of organic compounds, not in all of them. So they are not always present.

Step 6: Conclude.
The one element found in every organic compound is carbon.
\[ \boxed{\text{Carbon}} \]