What are the roles of functional groups?

The role of functional groups is to determine the specific chemical reactions a molecule can undergo. Regardless of the overall structure of the molecule, a particular functional group will consistently drive similar types of reactions. Additionally, functional groups are essential for naming organic compounds. By combining the names of these groups with the names of the base alkanes, researchers can identify and distinguish between different compounds. Functional groups are vital for the formation and function of key molecules like DNA, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins. Additionally, functional groups influence the physical characteristics of compounds, including boiling points, solubility, and polarity. For instance, For molecules containing the same functional group, the boiling point rises as the molecular weight increases.