Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

What type of molecule does an alcohol primarily feature?

1. Carbon-carbon double bonds

2. Hydroxyl functional group

3. Aromatic structure

4. Alkane structure

The correct answer is: Hydroxyl functional group

The primary feature of an alcohol molecule is its hydroxyl functional group, which consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (-OH). This group is what characterizes alcohols and distinguishes them from other types of organic compounds. The presence of the hydroxyl group allows alcohols to engage in hydrogen bonding, which gives these molecules unique physical properties such as higher boiling points compared to hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight, and increased solubility in water. The other options do not define the primary characteristic of alcohols. Carbon-carbon double bonds are found in alkenes, aromatic structures refer to compounds that have a specific cyclic arrangement with conjugated pi electrons, and alkane structures describe saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. Therefore, the correct identification of alcohols relies on the recognition of the hydroxyl functional group as their key defining feature.