3. Introduction
All basic life forms on Earth depend greatly on
chemistry for their survival , including us. Everything
from surviving treacherous climates, to how our
bodies develop, and work are all related to the world
of chemistry.
4. Chemistry and the Climate
Ever wonder how certain organisms were able to live under
those extreme climates and temperatures (depths of the sea,
scalding waters, and the unbearable cold of the Arctic)? It’s
because their biology is able to use the use of chemicals to
thrive in such places! The microbe group called Archaea, is
able to live in such harsh conditions, because the use of
enzymes called, extremozymes. These extremozymes coat and
protect the microbes from extreme temperatures, due to this it
allows the membranes to function more effectively.
5. Chemistry and UsChemistry and Us
Without chemistry it would be extremely hard for us toWithout chemistry it would be extremely hard for us to
live. We need chemistry and chemicals for everythinglive. We need chemistry and chemicals for everything
we do! When we eat food, chemicals are the mainwe do! When we eat food, chemicals are the main
source in which helps assist to decompose the food.source in which helps assist to decompose the food.
Our organs are protected by harmful acids with aOur organs are protected by harmful acids with a
layer of chemicals in the form of mucus, without itlayer of chemicals in the form of mucus, without it
our organs would slowly dissolve away. Butour organs would slowly dissolve away. But
chemicals and chemistry may also harm us, such as thechemicals and chemistry may also harm us, such as the
acids we find in our stomachsacids we find in our stomachs.
7. Synthetic Materials
• Synthetic is a term used to describe
materials that are man made, or do not
naturally occur in nature. There are many
materials that we use in our day to day
lives that are synthetic. Some examples
of synthetic materials are: alloys, plastics,
composites etc.
8. Synthetic vs. Natural Materials
• Before synthetic materials, people needed to
use natural materials to meet their needs.
Materials such as wool, cotton, fur and wood
are examples of natural materials. The
downside of using natural materials is that they
often have a few properties that people do not
like.
Ex. That sword is strong, but it is just too heavy
to use.
Ex. That cotton is warm, but it is not water proof.
9. Benefits of Synthetic Materials
The use of chemistry to create synthetic
materials has allowed us to create
materials that have the positive
characteristics of natural materials without
the negative characteristics.
Ex. This alloy sword is strong and light.
Ex. This polyester jacket is waterproof, but
light.
10. Safety Concerns
• Creating synthetic materials can be very beneficial, but some
chemical reactions can also be very dangerous. Before trying
to create new alloys, plastics or composites, scientists also
must consider that some chemical reactions are also very
dangerous. Before using any chemical, WHMIS( Workplace
Hazardous Materials Information System) labels must be
viewed and MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet) sheets should
be read for safe handling procedures, safety equipment
information, reactivity data and flammability data etc.
