Know the proper procedures for using the available safety equipment.Follow all instructions for proper disposal of broken glass and chemicals to prevent injury.Use the eyewash station to flush your eyes with water for 15 min, and make sure that someone tells your teacher. If you get something in your eyes, do not touch them.Know which safety equipment, such as a fire blanket, a fire extinguisher, and an eyewash station, are available and where they are located in your classroom.Always wear protective clothing, such as safety eyewear and a lab coat or apron, when using materials that could splash, shatter, or release dust.Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory and Classroom To date, only nineteen of these amino acids can be found on Earth. Since then scientists have extensively analyzed its chemistry, finding over 90 amino acids. The Murchison meteorite, thought to be about 4.65 billion years old, hit Earth in Murchison, Australia in 1969. Complete the project in stages as you progress through the unit. As you investigate organic molecules and their interactions in this unit, think about their importance as the building blocks of living things as well as how the products derived from them affect your daily life.Īs you study this unit, look ahead to the Unit 1 Project on pages 144 to 145. For example, the galaxy shown in the photograph is 12 million light years from Earth and contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, molecules that are essential to life. Some of these organic molecules have even been detected in star systems millions of light years from Earth. Other organic molecules detected in space include hydrocarbon molecules such as methane, and hydrocarbon derivatives, such as methanol and formaldehyde. For example, analysis of meteorites like the one shown in the inset photograph has revealed the presence of organic molecules that include amino acids, nucleic acids, sugars, and carboxylic acids-all molecules that make up organisms. In addition, organic molecules are not limited to planet Earth. Organic molecules may define life, but there are many other non-life-related organic molecules.
This description reflects the fact that the organic molecules that comprise living organisms are made of carbon atoms that are bonded to other carbon atoms, to hydrogen atoms, and to atoms of a few other elements such as oxygen and nitrogen. Go to scienceontario to find out more about organic chemistryĬientists describe life on Earth as carbon-based. What types of reactions do organic compounds undergo? What are the general structures and physical properties of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives? 3. What are the characteristics of organic compounds? 2. Unit Contents Chapter 1 Structure and Physical Properties of Organic Compounds Chapter 2 Reactions of Organic Compoundsįocussing Questions 1. demonstrate an understanding of the structure, properties, and chemical behaviour of compounds within each class of organic compounds.investigate organic compounds and organic chemical reactions, and use various methods to represent the compounds.Impact of organic compounds used in everyday life, and propose a course of action to reduce the use of compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment Overall Expectations In this unit, you will… Organic compounds have predictable chemical and physical properties determined by their respective structures.Īpplications have significant implications for society, human health, and the environment.