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To: Izzy Dunne

Ummmm. Stupid question. How exactly is it organic?


11 posted on 02/13/2008 11:15:39 AM PST by cizinec
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To: cizinec
Wikipedia - "Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry which involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen, which may contain any number of other elements, including nitrogen, oxygen, the halogens as well as phosphorus, silicon and sulfur.

The original definition of "organic" chemistry came from the misconception that organic compounds were always related to life processes. Not only organic compounds support life on Earth, as life as we know it also depends on inorganic chemistry; for example, many enzymes rely on transition metals such as iron and copper; and materials such as shells, teeth and bones are part organic, part inorganic in composition. Apart from elemental carbon, only with certain classes of carbon compounds such as oxides, carbonates, and carbides are conventionally considered inorganic. Biochemistry deals mainly with the natural chemistry of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and sugars.

16 posted on 02/13/2008 11:17:50 AM PST by Brian S. Fitzgerald ("We're going to drag that ship over the mountain.")
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To: cizinec
How exactly is it organic?

Technically, anything based on carbon compounds is organic. Organic doesn't always have to refer to life, just the carbon. (old dictionaries still have it restricted to based on plants or animals, but the definition has been expanded.)

22 posted on 02/13/2008 11:19:30 AM PST by mnehring (Make your plans to fit the circumstances. - General George S. Patton, Jr)
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To: cizinec

“How exactly is it organic?”

It’s not a stupid question. Any carbon based molecule is referred to as being “organic”. It does not mean it has to be from a living thing.


27 posted on 02/13/2008 11:21:23 AM PST by Hacklehead (Crush the liberals, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the hippies.)
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To: cizinec

Good question.

“Organic” chemistry, and by extension the use of “organic compounds” as an expression for hydrocarbons is due to the importance of Carbon molecules in living organisms.

They’re not called organic because (for instance) they’re harvested from Chinese prisons and Coma victims, and then sold to the highest bidder. Though that would be cool.


29 posted on 02/13/2008 11:22:44 AM PST by agere_contra
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To: cizinec
How exactly is it organic?

Fair question: one of the definitions of "organic" is "relating to living matter".

As far as we know that doesn't apply here, and that's probably what led to your question.

But another definition of "organic" is "characterized by continuous or natural development".

That seems more appropriate.

30 posted on 02/13/2008 11:23:11 AM PST by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
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To: cizinec

Generally implies carbon chains and some benzene rings in the chemistry of the compounds found.


34 posted on 02/13/2008 11:25:28 AM PST by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: cizinec
How exactly is it organic?

In chemistry, "organic" means a compound contains carbon plus other elements, especially hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

It's a historical thing.

50 posted on 02/13/2008 11:34:19 AM PST by poindexter
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To: cizinec
Ummmm. Stupid question. How exactly is it organic?

Any compound with the carbon atom in it is considered an "organic" compound. This predates the current idiotic usage of the work organic meaning "grown in raw monkey sh!t."

67 posted on 02/13/2008 11:51:54 AM PST by from occupied ga (Your most dangerous enemy is your own government,)
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To: cizinec

Organic, in chemistry means it has carbon atoms in it.......In food it means it has S%$T in t.........


73 posted on 02/13/2008 11:55:01 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
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To: cizinec

Organic in simple terms means that it contains carbon.


98 posted on 02/13/2008 12:15:32 PM PST by DaiHuy (I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American. (George Carlin)
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