All organic molecules contain carbon, bonded to other elements. Which of these elements would NOT be found in an organic molecule?

A) helium

B) hydrogen

C) nitrogen

D) oxygen

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The answer is A) Helium

Explanation:

Organic Compounds:

When organic chemistry was first introduced, all compounds that originated from living matter were classed as organic while those having a mineral or non-living origin were termed inorganic. But the modern definition states:

Compounds that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen are termed as organic compounds.

Since hydrogen (H), carbon (C), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) are the most abundant elements in organic matter, most organic compounds are a combination of these four elements. For example, deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, the blue-print for all life is a combination of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous; all these elements are connected through chemical bonds.

Helium would never be present in an organic molecule because it is a noble gas by nature.

Noble Gas:

Noble gases are inert chemical elements that have low chemical reactivity with other elements. Apart from higher noble gases such as Argon, Radon and Krypton, noble gases do not form compounds.

Therefore, helium would never be found in an organic compound.