Introduction to Organic Chemistry

What is the ending of the names of alkenes?

What is the type of bond present in alkynes?

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

What is a characteristic of saturated fats?

What is a recommended dietary change based on the correlation between fats and health issues?

What is a difference between mono- or polyunsaturated fats and saturated fats?

What is the correlation between saturated fats in people’s diets and health issues?

What is the general recommendation from government bodies and health associations about the total amount of fat in the diet?

Why is carbon singled out in the study of organic chemistry?

What is the characteristic of most organic chemicals?

Which of the following compounds are not considered part of organic chemistry?

What is the simplest type of hydrocarbon?

What is the characteristic of alkanes?

What is the stem that indicates three carbon atoms in an alkane?

What is the characteristic of alkenes?

What is the name of the alkane with one carbon atom?

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is the study of the chemistry of carbon compounds.
Carbon is unique due to its chemical diversity, which is unmatched by any other element.

Characteristics of Carbon

Elemental carbon is not particularly abundant in the Earth's crust.
All living things consist of organic compounds.

Organic Compounds

Most organic chemicals are covalent compounds.
Compounds containing carbonate ions, bicarbonate ions, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are not considered part of organic chemistry.

Hydrocarbons

The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons, composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms only.
Alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons) have single bonds and appear as a chain of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms.
Each alkane has a characteristic, systematic name depending on the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
Alkanes are named using a stem that indicates the number of carbon atoms in the chain plus the ending –ane.

Types of Hydrocarbons

Alkenes are hydrocarbons with one or more carbon–carbon double bonds (denoted C=C).
Alkynes are hydrocarbons with a carbon–carbon triple bond (denoted C≡C) as part of their carbon skeleton.

Fats and Health

Fats are combinations of long-chain organic compounds (fatty acids) and glycerol (C3H8O3).
Saturated fats have all single bonds and are typically solids at room temperature.
Mono- or polyunsaturated fats have one or more double bonds and are likely to be liquids at room temperature.
Higher amounts of saturated fats in the diet have been linked to a greater likelihood of developing heart disease, high cholesterol, and other diet-related diseases.
Increases in unsaturated fats have been linked to a lower incidence of certain diseases.

Learn about the basics of organic chemistry, including the unique properties of carbon and its role in living things. Discover why carbon compounds are essential for life on Earth.