Science 20 2006 Alberta Education (www.education.gov.ab.ca). Third-party copyright credits are listed on the attached copyright credit page.

Chapter 3 Summary
Although organic chemistry originally referred to the chemistry of substances created by living things, the term has been
expanded to include the chemistry of most carbon-based compounds. Since the atomic structure of carbon makes the
formation of a huge number of organic compounds possible, a systematic naming system is required to describe the size
and structure of each molecule. This system is used by chemists, pharmacists, and nutritionists to produce the products,
medicines, and foods you use every day.
As a consumer, you use the concepts of organic chemistry when you make healthy food choices. Reading the nutrition
facts on foods to check the amount of saturated fats and unsaturated fats enables you to apply your knowledge of carboncarbon bonding to your own personal health and wellness.
Organic chemistry is also a part of your day when you use items made from petroleum. In this chapter you have seen that
substances obtained by refining this hydrocarbon soup become the raw materials and fuels that support so much of societys
modern lifestyle. Plastics, synthetic fabrics, and fuels for vehicles are all derived from petroleum. Further in this textbook you
can find that the manufacturing and use of these products not only affects your life, it also affects the lives of other people
and other organisms on Earth.

Summarize Your Learning

The atomic structure of hydrocarbons is at the heart of the chemical and physical properties that enable these compounds to
have such varied applications. You will have a much easier time recalling the application of information you learned if you
take some time to organize it into some sort of pattern. Now that you have come to the end of Chapter 3, this is an appropriate
time to focus on the patterns within the things you have learned.
Since the pattern has to be in a meaningful form to you, there are some options about how you can create this summary.
Each of the following options is described in Summarize Your Learning Activities on pages 552 and 553.
Option 1:
Draw a concept map
or a web diagram.

152

Option 2:
Create a point-form
summary.

Unit A: Chemical Change

Option 3:
Write a story using key
terms and concepts.

Option 4:
Create a
colourful poster.

Option 5:
Build a model.

Option 6:
Write a script for a skit
(a mock news report).

Photo Credits and Acknowledgements

All photographs, illustrations, and text contained in this book have been created by or for Alberta Education, unless noted herein or
elsewhere in this Science 20 textbook.
Alberta Education wishes to thank the following rights holders for granting permission to incorporate their works into this textbook.
Every effort has been made to identify and acknowledge the appropriate rights holder for each third-party work. Please notify Alberta
Education of any errors or omissions so that corrective action may be taken.
Legend: t = top, m = middle, b = bottom, l = left, r = right
152 2006 Jupiterimages Corporation