Which of the following best explains how organic compounds differ from inorganic compounds?

• A. Organic compounds do not contain any functional groups, while inorganic compounds do.
• B. Organic compounds primarily contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and often include functional groups such as ${\mathrm{OH}}_1$ (hydroxyl), ${\mathrm{COOH}}_1$ (carboxyl), and ${\mathrm{NH}}_2$ (amino), whereas inorganic compounds generally lack these carbon-based structures.
• C. Organic compounds are always soluble in water, while inorganic compounds are always insoluble.
• D. Organic compounds are composed only of metals, whereas inorganic compounds are composed only of nonmetals.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the key distinction between organic and inorganic compounds lies in their composition and bonding patterns.
2. Recognize that organic compounds primarily contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, forming the backbone of these molecules.
3. Identify that organic compounds often include specific functional groups such as hydroxyl (\(\mathrm{OH}\)), carboxyl (\(\mathrm{COOH}\)), and amino (\(\mathrm{NH_2}\)), which influence their chemical behavior.
4. Note that inorganic compounds generally do not have carbon-hydrogen bonds and typically lack these carbon-based functional groups.
5. Conclude that the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds and characteristic functional groups is the best explanation for how organic compounds differ from inorganic compounds.