* Organic compounds: This is a very broad category, but it includes most of the molecules essential for life. Examples include:
* Carbohydrates: Sugars, starches, cellulose
* Lipids: Fats, oils, waxes
* Proteins: Made up of amino acids
* Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA
* Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas are primarily made up of hydrocarbons (compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen).
* Plastics: Many plastics are made from hydrocarbons, though they often contain other elements as well.
* Some gases: Methane (CH4) is a simple hydrocarbon that is a major component of natural gas.
Essentially, anything that is considered "organic" will likely contain both carbon and hydrogen.
