Which of the following is NOT considered an organic molecule?

Organic molecules are typically defined as any chemical compound that contains carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. These molecules are essential for life and include carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids, all of which are composed of carbon along with other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Water, on the other hand, does not fit this definition of an organic molecule. Although it contains hydrogen and oxygen, it lacks carbon. This distinction is crucial in biological contexts because while organic molecules form the basis of living organisms and their biological processes, water serves primarily as a solvent and is involved in biochemical reactions but does not contain the carbon structure that characterizes organic compounds. Therefore, it is recognized as an inorganic molecule.

Understanding the definition and characteristics of organic versus inorganic molecules is fundamental in biology, particularly when studying the biochemical processes that underpin life.