Why is carbon chemistry called organic chemistry?

1 Answer
May 13, 2014

We are carbon-based organisms.

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based molecules, which relate to the biochemistry of living systems. The origin of many organic compounds is that they are produced by living organisms.

The term Inorganic chemistry is used for reactions etc. of compounds which are not carbon based. Both are old terms, and while they persist, the descriptions are not perfect.