Introduction to Chemistry

Introduction

• Chemistry studies the composition, structure, and the properties of matter.
• Chemistry studies changes matter undergoes, and the governing laws and principles.
• Matter has volume and mass.
• Matter exists in different states: gas, liquid and solid.
• Branches includes definition, chemistry and health.

Branches of Chemistry

• Major branches include: inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry,
• Specialized and emerging fields of chemistry include: environmental, medicinal, industrial, polymer, nuclear, theoretical, and supramolecular chemistry.
• Green, agricultural, food, cosmetic, forensic, geochemistry, and material chemistry are also specialized and emerging fields.

Inorganic Chemistry

• Focuses on substances lacking carbon-hydrogen bonds, including metals, minerals, and coordination compounds.
• Applicable in material science, metallurgy, and catalysts.

Organic Chemistry

• Focuses on compounds containing carbon.
• Studies hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, esters, and biomolecules.
• Essential in pharmaceuticals, plastics, and fuel production.

Physical Chemistry

• Studies how matter behaves on a molecular and atomic level.
• Includes thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum mechanics.
• Important in energy production, nanotechnology, and reaction dynamics.

Analytical Chemistry

• Focuses on identifying and quantifying chemical substances.
• Employs techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and titration.
• Applied in forensics, environmental monitoring, and food safety.

Biochemistry

• Studies chemical processes within living organisms.
• Involves metabolism, enzymatic reactions, and molecular biology.
• Important in medicine, genetics, and biotechnology.

Environmental Chemistry

• Studies the chemical composition of air, water, and soil.
• Focuses on pollution control, climate change, and sustainable chemistry.
• Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions is done.

Medicinal Chemistry

• Combines chemistry and pharmacology to develop new drugs.
• Focuses on drug discovery, design, and synthesis.
• Designing new antibiotics for resistant bacteria is a task.

Industrial Chemistry

• Applies chemical principles to manufacturing and industry.
• Used in petroleum refining, polymer production, and chemical engineering.
• Producing synthetic rubber for tires is an example.

Polymer Chemistry

• Studies macromolecules such as plastics, rubbers, and fibers.
• Important in materials science and nanotechnology.
• Developing biodegradable plastics is a goal.

Nuclear Chemistry

• Studies radioactive elements and nuclear reactions.
• Used in nuclear power, medical imaging, and radiotherapy.
• Uses radioactive isotopes in cancer treatment.

Theoretical Chemistry

• Uses mathematical models and computer simulations to predict chemical behavior.
• Involves quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and statistical mechanics.
• Modeling the structure of new drug molecules is a task.

Green Chemistry

• Focuses on sustainable and environmentally friendly chemical processes.
• Aims to reduce waste and hazardous substances.
• Designing eco-friendly biodegradable detergents achieved this.

Agricultural Chemistry

• Studies the chemistry of fertilizers, pesticides, and soil nutrients.
• Important for increasing crop yield and food safety.
• Developing slow-release fertilizers is an application.

Food Chemistry

• Studies the chemical composition of food and its interaction with processing.
• Includes food additives, preservatives, and nutrition science.
• Understanding how antioxidants prevent food spoilage is key.

Cosmetic Chemistry

• Focuses on the development of skincare, makeup, and personal care products.
• Ensures product safety and effectiveness.
• Formulating long-lasting sunscreen is an example.

Forensic Chemistry

• Applies chemical techniques to criminal investigations.
• Involves DNA analysis, drug testing, and toxicology.
• Identifying substances in a crime scene investigation falls here.

Geochemistry

• Studies the chemical composition of earth materials like rocks, minerals, and soils.
• Important in oil exploration and environmental science.
• Analyzing rock formations for oil deposits is an application.

Supramolecular Chemistry

• Studies interactions between molecules to create self-assembling systems.
• Used in drug delivery, nanotechnology, and advanced materials.
• Designing molecular machines for targeted drug therapy is an area of focus.

Material Chemistry

• Studies the chemical properties of new materials for industrial use.
• Includes ceramics, alloys, and composite materials.

Importance of Chemistry in Health

• Chemistry plays a major role in disease prevention and treatment, by chemotherapy, vaccines and dialysis.
• Chemistry is used for antiseptic/disinfectants, adjuvants, diagnosis

Importance of Chemistry in Nursing

• Related to medication administration and pharmacology, drug compound, drug mechanisms (ADME).
• Has roles in drug compatibility/interactions and intravenous (IV) Solutions
• Important for Acid-Base Balance, Clinical Applications, Electrolyte balance (monitoring).
• Used for disinfection and sterilization

Importance of Chemistry in Medical Technology

• Involved with clinical chemistry in Laboratory Testing, blood and urine analysis, glucose levels.
• Cholesterol, creatinine, and electrolytes using chemical reactions
• Important for Enzyme and Protein Tests, Hormone Assays: insulin, thyroid hormones
• Important for testing microbiology for pathogens and applying biochemical staining.
• Tests antibiotic sensitivity and blood typing

Key Takeaways

• Chemistry deals with the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter.
• Organic chemistry studies carbon-containing compounds.
• Inorganic chemistry focuses on substances that do not contain carbon, such as metals and minerals.
• The science examines energy changes and reaction mechanisms.
• Examines the chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
• Identifying and quantifying chemical substances.
• Medical technologists analyze blood, urine, and other body fluids.
• Detects drugs, toxins, and poisons in forensic investigations.
• Chemistry is also known as central science.
• The use of chemical substances, particularly drugs, to treat diseases, most commonly cancer.
• A chemical agent used to eliminate or reduce harmful microorganisms on non-living surfaces.