Organic Chemistry Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Organic Chemistry?
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds. Organic compounds are those molecules which contain carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together in various combinations with other elements, such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and chlorine. Organic chemistry deals with the investigation into how these atoms interact to form complex structures that can be used for a variety of purposes. Organic chemistry has played an extremely important role in our understanding of biology, medicine and agriculture. For example, it has helped us develop new drugs for treating diseases such as cancer and AIDS, as well as fertilizers for improving crop yields. It has also been instrumental in developing biodegradable materials from renewable sources like corn starch or vegetable oil. One area where organic chemists have made great strides is synthetic organic chemistry; this involves creating new molecules by combining existing ones using chemical reactions or manipulating them using techniques such as genetic engineering. In this way we have developed plastics, detergents and dyes which otherwise would not have been possible without chemical manipulation of natural substances. We’ve also seen advances in medicinal applications thanks to synthetic organic chemistry; many drugs now being used to treat conditions like high blood pressure were developed through careful manipulation of natural chemicals found within plants or animals. In addition to its industrial applications, organic chemistry aids researchers in understanding how life works on a molecular level; by studying reaction pathways between different kinds of biomolecules such as proteins and carbohydrates we can learn more about how cells work and what causes certain diseases or illnesses at a biochemical level. This knowledge can then be used to create better treatments for those affected by those conditions an approach known as ‘targeted drug therapy’ helping us live longer healthier lives than ever before.