Carbon is present in more compounds than all of the other elements combined; because of this it has earned itself its own section in the “world of chemistry,” it is called organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is the study of natural and synthetic carbon compounds. There are many substances in which carbon is present, such as plastics, foods, textiles, and many other common substances. There are close to ten million known carbon compounds, many of which are essential to organic and life processes. A few of the most important carbon compounds are carbon dioxide (CO₂), which humans and animals exhale, and plants use to make food and oxygen, which makes it possible for us to breath. Another very important carbon compound is polyethylene (C₂H₄), it is a very durable plastic, which has many uses such as non breakable bottles, film, drinking glasses, and wire insulation.

Polyethylene Pipes

The hydrocarbon family of fuels are also important carbon compounds, these compounds we use to power many things in our lives, for example our cars are powered by octane (C₈H₁₈). Glucose and Fructose (C₆H₁₂O₆) are carbon compounds which are used in fueling our bodies, with out them our muscles would not be able to move. DNA is made up of 4 nucleotides: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. These nucleotides all have a six-sided ring consisting of carbon and nitrogen, in their centers. Therefore without carbon the basis of life would be impossible.