Amides are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom (N). They are derived from carboxylic acids, where the hydroxyl group (–OH) is replaced by an amine group (–NH2, –NHR, or –NR2). Amides can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the nitrogen. These compounds are important in various fields, including biochemistry and pharmaceuticals. For example, many proteins are formed from amino acids, which are essentially amides. Additionally, amides are used in the production of plastics, dyes, and other industrial materials due to their stability and versatility.