Organic Chemistry Definition

Chemistry represents a wide universe of reactions and organizations of matter, from subatomic levels to the largest molecules. Within this vast field of science there are two large genera that distinguish chemical compounds based on the elements that compose them. In the first place we have inorganic compounds, which are present in one way or another in all the matter that makes up the Universe and whose study allows us to understand the elementary reactions existing between atoms and molecules; while in the second term we find an area entirely dedicated to molecules whose composition is centered on a particular base element, carbon, which is why this scientific area has been known under the names of: carbon chemistry, organic chemistry and even chemistry. of the life.

molecules for life

If carbon had not been able to establish the chemical and organizational affinity it has with hydrogen in the first instance and then with elements such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and even the halogens, we would not only lack organic chemistry to speak of, but that life itself would not have been possible as we know it, from the most basic molecular organizations such as viruses, to humans and other forms of higher life.

Although scientifically the possibility is not ruled out that this fortuitous combination of elements with which all organic matter on the planet has been structured could have been generated using some other base element to replace carbon, to also make possible the appearance of the first cells Undoubtedly, the great abundance of carbon available in the Universe made it possible for it to assume such responsibility, since absolutely all the molecules that constitute the basis of the chemistry of life are of an exclusively organic nature, belonging to one of the three large structural groups, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates or even being a combination between two groups, such as in the case of the lipoproteins that constitute part of the cholesterol dissolved in our blood and the glycolipids that make up cell membranes, molecules without which life would definitely not have been able to originate, since there was no molecular structure that, like a membrane, could contain in a small, protected and controlled space, all the rest of the organic molecules that fulfill the various functions of what we know such as metabolic processes and the activities of living organisms.

molecular functions

In addition to presenting specific characteristics depending on the type of bonds that are generated between carbon atoms, which give them the quality of being alkanes, alkenes or alkynes, organic chemistry has also been able to distinguish the particular properties that molecules may have. organic according to the different types of configuration, whether its central chain is linear, or if, on the contrary, it joins at its ends, forming a cycle.

In the same way, organic chemistry classifies molecules according to their radical structures, that is, the secondary branches attached to the main chain. When these branches are present, particularly at the ends of the main chain, they have the ability to confer specific properties to the molecule, according to which they have been functionally classified as: 1) Alcohols, 2) Phenols, 3) Ethers, 4) Aldehydes, 5 ) Ketones, 6) Carboxylic Acids and 7) Amines.

All this classification according to the structure of the molecules has allowed the evolution of the studies of organic chemistry as a science, thus generating great advances in the understanding of the various chemical phenomena that affect life, both positively and negatively. negative. In this sense, the importance of organic chemistry is extended from the contributions that it has provided for the study and understanding of each of the metabolic processes, the discovery even of DNA itself and the link between genes, their expressions and alterations. , to each of the fields of technology that we enjoy on a daily basis, since if organic chemistry had not been able to discover, process and take advantage of the various products obtained from oil and of course, this industry itself would not have even been generated , much less expanded.

Natural Polymers

Certainly, the ability of organic chemistry to establish links between molecules is amazing and how these in turn manage to reach “gigantic” levels of organization, to the point of being able to find authentic macromolecules made up of a large number of polymers, which in turn, they can be found as independent and functional molecules, as is the case of huge proteins, which have no less than 50 amino acids in their structure, being these key pieces in the development of a large number of metabolic processes.

Likewise, it happens with another great variety of polymers already synthesized in an industrial way, which have allowed the development of highly complex compounds, destined to facilitate the life of humanity, thanks to all the functionality that organic chemistry offers to industries and to society. technology.

References

Chang, R. (1997). Chemistry. 4th Edition (1st in Spanish). McGraw-Hill. Mexico.

Morrison, RT, & Boyd, RN (1998). organic chemistry. HE. Pearson education. Madrid Spain.

Solomons, G. (1978). Organic Chemistry. Publisher John Wiley & Sons. USES.

WADE, LG, et al. (2004). organic chemistry. HE. Pearson Education Publisher. Madrid Spain.

Wolfe, D. (1995). General, Organic and Biological Chemistry. 2nd Edition (in Spanish). McGraw-Hill. Mexico.

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