What is organic chemistry?

Organic chemistry is the research of carbon and the study of the chemistry of life. It is essential because it is the study of life and all of the chemical reactions related to life. It is the branch of chemistry concerned with the compounds of carbon: initially confined to compounds manufactured by living organisms but now extended to include human-made substances based on carbon, such as plastics.

Organic compounds are necessary for sustaining life on earth and include complex molecules genetic information-bearing DNA and proteins that constitute essential compounds of essential compounds of our blood, muscles, and skin. Organic chemicals appear in materials like clothing, fuels, polymers, dye, and medications.