Science glossary film: Organic chemistry

The study of carbon-based compounds. Carbon is a non-metal element and the sixth most abundant in the Universe. Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell. This means it can bond with up to four other atoms. It bonds easily with hydrogen and oxygen to form carbohydrates and lipids, and with nitrogen to form amino acids – three core building blocks of all life on Earth, found in every cell of every living thing. Organic chemistry also includes the study and manufacture of synthetic substances that contain carbon, such as plastics and most pharmaceutical drugs.

Carbon is a non-metal element and the sixth most abundant in the Universe. Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell. This means it can bond with up to four other atoms. It bonds easily with hydrogen and oxygen to form carbohydrates and lipids, and with nitrogen to form amino acids – three core building blocks of all life on Earth, found in every cell of every living thing. Organic chemistry also includes the study and manufacture of synthetic substances that contain carbon, such as plastics and most pharmaceutical drugs.