Distinguish between ionic and molecular compounds in terms of the basic units that make up each

Ionic compound consist of positive and negative ions both are bonded together through electro static attraction.

Molecular compounds consist of atoms bonded to gather by sharing of electrons or through covalent bond.

Explanation:

Ionic bond:

It is the bond which is formed by the transfer of electron from one atom to the atom of another element.  

Both bonded atoms have very large electronegativity difference. The atom with large electronegativity value accept the electron from other with smaller value of electronegativity.

For example:

Sodium chloride is ionic compound. The electronegativity of chlorine is 3.16 and for sodium is 0.93. There is large difference is present. That's why electron from sodium is transfer to the chlorine. Sodium becomes positive and chlorine becomes negative ion.

Covalent bond:

It is formed by the sharing of electron pair between bonded atoms.  

The atom with larger electronegativity attract the electron pair more towards it self and becomes partial negative while the other atom becomes partial positive.

For example:

In water the electronegativity of oxygen is 3.44 and hydrogen is 2.2. That's why electron pair attracted more towards oxygen, thus oxygen becomes partial negative and hydrogen becomes partial positive.