The changes in surface properties caused by adsorption of carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitrogen on molybdenum (001) have been studied. The LEED intensities, work functions, and electron-stimulated desorption yields show coverage dependences similar to those for H/Mo(001). To explain the results it is proposed that these adsorbates, like hydrogen, induce a rearrangement of the Mo surface. Due to the substrate distortion, the probability of occupation varies from site to site. The development of (√2×√2) structures observed by LEED can be understood in terms of coupled lattice distortion and occupation probability waves.