Organic Chemistry
The study of the structure, properties, composition and reactions of carbon-containing compounds.
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Carbon's ability to form four strong covalent bonds and to catenate into chains, branches and rings gives rise to tens of millions of known compounds — more than all other elements combined. The discipline is organised around functional groups, which behave predictably regardless of the carbon skeleton carrying them.
Examples in the real world
Petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, dyes, and every molecule of a living organism.