1. Global Impact of Chemistry

2. Objectives
What impact do chemists have on materials, energy, medicine, agriculture, the environment, and the study of the universe?

3. Important Vocabulary
Macroscopic
Microscopic
Biotechnology
Pollutant

4. Connections to Chemistry
Chemistry infiltrates many aspects of our world
We are going to discuss 6 main areas:
Materials
Energy
Medicine & biotechnology
Agriculture
The environment
The universe

5. Materials Chemists design materials to fit specific needs
Inspiration is often found in nature
For example, in 1955 George de Mestral came up with Velcro after observing the way burrs attached to his clothing microscopically

6. Macroscopic vs. Microscopic
Objects that are large enough to see with the unaided eye
For example:
A burr
Veins in a plant leaf
Scales of a fish
Books on a shelf
Objects that can only be seen under magnification
For example:
Bacteria
Viruses
Red blood cells
Mold spores

7. Energy Energy is necessary to meet the needs of a modern society
Such as, heating buildings, manufacturing goods, and processing foods
Chemists specifically aide in finding ways to conserve, produce and store energy

8. Conservation of Energy
One of the easiest ways to conserve energy is through the use of insulation
Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow
A modern form of insulation is known as SEAgel (Safe Emulsion Agar gel), which is a foam made from seaweed.
How else can energy be conserved?

9. Production of Energy
The burning of fossil fuels such as: coal, natural gas, and petroleum are a major source of energy
However, this source is limited
So chemists are always looking for alternative energy sources
What alternative energy have already been produced?

10. Energy Storage
Comes in the form of batteries, which contain chemicals that release the energy with an electric current

11. Medicine & Biotechnology
This is the field with the most advances from chemistry
Chemistry supplies the medicines, materials, and technology that are essential to our health care system
The work in this field is mostly accomplished by biochemists

12. Medicines There are over 2000 different prescription drugs.
They are used to treat infections, physical diseases, symptoms of disease, and mental illness
There are also thousands of over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements
Drugs are effective because they are designed to specifically interact with chemicals in your cells

13. Nature’s Pharmacy
About 40% of all modern medicines come from chemicals produced by plants or animals.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Produces the poison digitalis which is used to treat congestive heart failure
Willow bark
Salix babylonica
Was used for centuries in tea to treat headaches & pain. The active ingredient, salicin, was discovered in But it wasn’t patented as aspirin until 1900
Cone Snail
Conus striatus
Produces toxins that paralyze their prey. It is currently being studied as a possible treatment for nervous system disorders & chronic pain

14. Materials in Medicine
Include plastic tubes as replacement blood vessels, artificial joints for knees and hips, plastic skin for burn victims & prosthetic limbs
Chemicals that can repair damage in the body are released from tiny capsules

15. Biotechnology
Applies science to the production of biological products or processes
It is used to:
Alter DNA in living organisms
Transfer genes
Produce important chemicals such as: insulin
Map the entire human genome

16. Realm of Biotechnology

17. Agriculture
Chemists help to develop more productive crops and safer, more effective ways to protect crops.
For example:
Genetically altering crop species to be more resistant to disease, drought, & insects
Developing safer pesticides

18. The Environment
One of the consequences of new technology is the production of pollutants.
A pollutant is a material found in the air, water or soil that is harmful to humans or other organisms
Chemists thus, help to identify pollutants and prevent pollution
Lead Poisoning study in 1971
Banning the use of lead in paint in 1978
Banning the use of lead in gas & water pipes 1986

19. The Universe
Chemists study the universe by gathering data from afar and analyzing matter that is brought back to Earth
For example:
Early 1800’s studying the composition of stars by analyzing light emitted
The discovery of helium on the sun’s surface in 1868 by Pierre Janssen
Studying moon rocks
Mars rover’s collections

20. Assignment
Read p.29
Complete the analyze the issue questions #1-3