What Element Is Found in Every Organic Molecule? Everything Explained

Do you know what element is found in every organic molecule? Well, there are six major elements that are found in every organic molecule on Earth. These are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. Without these six elements, no organic molecule would exist in the world. Since all organic molecules have one or more of these elements present, it can be said that these six elements represent an essential part of every single organic molecule on the planet.

Carbon

All living organisms are based on carbon, which also makes up all of our energy molecules: sugars and fats. This means we're made of-and get energy from-the same stuff as plants, animals, and bacteria. In addition to forming long chains (polymers) to make complex molecules (such as proteins), carbon can form rings that make chemicals called carbohydrates that act as a major source of fuel for all living things (we call them sugars). So even though you might not share DNA with a mouse or avocado, you do share basic chemistry.

What Element Is Found in Every Organic Molecule? Oxygen

The simple answer to your question is oxygen. Organic molecules are a large and diverse class of molecules that are composed entirely of carbon and hydrogen, meaning they're both classified as hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons can be any combination of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, but all hydrocarbons contain at least one oxygen atom somewhere within their molecular structure. 

While all organic molecules must contain at least one atom of oxygen, it doesn't necessarily have to be bound directly to a hydrogen or carbon atom. There are many other combinations that can create an oxygen-containing bond, including between multiple carbons or hydrogens with oxygens (C-O) or carboxyls (COOH).

Hydrogen

What element is found in every organic molecule? In addition to its status as an essential part of water, hydrogen has a number of other vital uses. It serves as an important part of acids and bases; it's used for helium balloons; it's used to manufacture ammonia and hydrochloric acid, which are both necessary for industry; it's used in petroleum to make compounds such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel and many others. In short, you could say that hydrogen powers our world.

What Element Is Found in Every Organic Molecule? Phosphorus

The Periodic Table has been a favorite subject of school science classes since its inception. In many cases, it also serves as a great reference tool for chemistry professionals and amateurs alike. Although Phosphorus can be discovered in any number of modern applications, including all-natural medicines, phosphates have an important role to play within organic compounds.

This is because phosphorus compounds are essential for several aspects of cell function and growth; all living organisms contain at least some phosphorus compounds. That being said, let's take a moment to review why phosphorus makes up an essential component of organic molecules. It's certainly time well spent!

Nitrogen

There's nitrogen in DNA, RNA, proteins and amino acids. In fact, almost all organic molecules contain it. Nitrogen constitutes 78% of Earth's atmosphere and makes up 1/5th of our body weight. And though nitrogen gas was discovered around 1772-by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford-it wasn't isolated until 1844 by German chemist Hermann von Helmholtz. Which means there are plenty of chemists who thank him for their career each time they go to work.

You can't see nitrogen or smell it, but you can detect its presence with your tongue (as mouthfeel) when drinking a glass of beer or wine. So enjoy that as you contemplate what we just told you about nitrogen! Cheers!

Sulphur

The Latin root of sulphur means resembling brimstone or sulphurous. It has a pungent, suffocating odor, and historically was used as a fumigant. It was an important building block for organic compounds because of its ability to form four bonds with other atoms.

In addition to being one of only five elements that are active catalysts (coenzyme A), sulphur can be thought of as part of two important groups: alkaline earth metals and oxygen-containing compounds, because it combines with oxygen to form sulfate. The 16th century Swiss physician Paracelsus introduced a division between elemental substances and all other chemical substances which could not be resolved into elements.

Final Thoughts

The answer to that question, dear reader, is carbon. Every single organic molecule contains at least one carbon atom. And while we can't see atoms or visualize their components, it's nice to know that what makes up all living things also holds them together.