Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What does the term "organic" refer to in a scientific context?

1. Substances containing nitrogen bonds

2. Substances having carbon to carbon bonds

3. Inert compounds

4. Minerals from the earth

The correct answer is: Substances having carbon to carbon bonds

In a scientific context, "organic" refers specifically to substances that contain carbon, particularly those that have carbon to carbon bonds. This definition is rooted in organic chemistry, where organic compounds are typically identified by their carbon skeletons. These compounds often include other elements such as hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus, but the presence of carbon is the primary characteristic that classifies a substance as organic. Organic compounds are crucial for life and are the basis for biochemistry, as they make up the molecules of living organisms. This includes everything from simple hydrocarbons to complex proteins, DNA, and carbohydrates. In contrast, inorganic substances do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds and can include minerals, salts, and metals, making them fundamentally different in composition and function. The other options describe different types of substances that do not align with the scientific definition of organic. For instance, substances containing nitrogen bonds do not necessarily indicate that they are organic, as nitrogen can be found in many inorganic compounds as well. Inert compounds refer to substances that are stable and do not react easily, but they can be either organic or inorganic. Finally, minerals from the earth fall under the category of inorganic substances. Therefore, the accurate depiction of "organic" is centered around