Tag: Carbon chemistry

Carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose, are among the most abundant organic compounds in nature, originating primarily from the process of photosynthesis. These essential molecules are classified as organic because their chemical structure is based on a fundamental carbon framework, unlike inorganic compounds.

While all essential for life, organic compounds and inorganic nutrients have distinct chemical identities. The core difference between organic compounds and inorganic nutrients lies in their fundamental molecular makeup, with the presence of carbon being the most defining characteristic of the former.

Over a hundred years ago, scientists determined that tiny amounts of certain compounds were essential for human health, dubbing them "vitamines". This discovery solidified the fact that vitamins are considered organic compounds, meaning their chemical structure is based on carbon atoms covalently bonded to other elements. This molecular blueprint fundamentally differentiates them from inorganic minerals and dictates their crucial function in the body.