What is the difference between an organic compound and an inorganic compound in the body? Give examples.
Answer (1)
Organic compounds are molecules that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and often other elements like oxygen and nitrogen. They are the main building blocks of life. In contrast, inorganic compounds are molecules that do not have both carbon and hydrogen together. Both types are important in the human body.Organic CompoundsThese are usually large, complex molecules. Carbohydrates (like glucose): provide energy.Proteins (like enzymes): build and repair tissues, regulate body functions.Lipids (like fats and oils): store energy and form cell membranes.Nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA): carry genetic information.These compounds are called “organic” because they are carbon-based, and carbon atoms are very versatile in forming different shapes and structures. This allows for the complexity needed in living things.Inorganic CompoundsThese are usually simpler molecules.Water (H₂O): essential for all life, regulates temperature, transports nutrients.Oxygen (O₂): used in cellular respiration to produce energy.Carbon dioxide (CO₂): a waste product of respiration, removed through breathing.Minerals and ions (like Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻): help with nerve function, muscle contraction, and fluid balance.So, organic compounds are the core components of life, while inorganic compounds support and sustain life processes. Both are essential in anatomy and physiology because they help explain how the body is built and how it works.
