Which of the following best describes what organic molecules contain?

• A. They contain only metals and metalloids.
• B. They contain $carbon$ atoms bonded to other elements such as $hydrogen$, $oxygen$, or $nitrogen$.
• C. They contain only water and salts.
• D. They contain only inorganic elements such as sodium and chloride.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that organic molecules are primarily defined by the presence of carbon atoms. Carbon's unique ability to form four covalent bonds allows it to create complex and diverse molecular structures.
2. Recognize that in organic molecules, carbon atoms are typically bonded to other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. These elements are common in biological molecules and contribute to the molecule's properties and functions.
3. Note that organic chemistry focuses on compounds containing carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds, distinguishing them from inorganic compounds, which often contain metals, metalloids, or simple ions like sodium or chloride.
4. Eliminate options that mention only metals, metalloids, water, salts, or inorganic elements, as these do not characterize organic molecules.
5. Conclude that the best description of organic molecules is that they contain carbon atoms bonded to other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen.