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Which substance would not be considered an organic compound?

  1. Glucose

  2. Cholesterol

  3. Salt

  4. DNA

The correct answer is: Salt

An organic compound is typically defined as a chemical compound that contains carbon atoms, usually bonded to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements. Glucose, cholesterol, and DNA are all organic compounds because they contain carbon as a central component of their molecular structure. Glucose is a simple sugar and an important energy source in living organisms, consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Cholesterol is a type of lipid molecule, also made from carbon along with its associated hydrogen and oxygen. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a complex molecule that carries genetic information and is composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. On the other hand, salt—specifically table salt—primarily refers to sodium chloride (NaCl), which is an inorganic compound. Its structure does not contain carbon nor does it fit the criteria of typical organic compounds. This distinction makes salt the correct answer as the substance that is not considered an organic compound.