Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What does the term "inorganic" refer to?

1. Compounds containing carbon

2. Material arising from natural growth

3. Substances not containing carbon

4. Metals and minerals only

The correct answer is: Substances not containing carbon

The term "inorganic" specifically refers to substances that do not contain carbon. This classification applies to a wide range of materials, including minerals, metals, and various chemical compounds that lack a carbon-hydrogen bond. Inorganic compounds are foundational in many areas of chemistry and can include salts, metals, and water. Understanding this concept is crucial in the field of esthetics, as many products like chemical exfoliants and preservatives may be inorganic. In contrast, substances containing carbon are categorized as organic. The option referring to material arising from natural growth would not fit the definition of inorganic, as it generally pertains to organic life forms, which are carbon-based. Lastly, while metals and minerals are often inorganic, they do not encompass the full range of inorganic compounds, since the category includes non-metallic elements and compounds as well. Thus, the correct understanding of "inorganic" is that it specifically denotes substances that lack carbon content.