Name: John Roi C. Moquete
Instructor/Professor: Prof. Ramon Eduque Jr.
Date: 3/29/2021
Course No: CHM032A
Organic chemistry is more than simply the study of carbon or the study of
chemicals in living organisms. Organic chemistry is ubiquitous and it is a very vast and complex
subject. Organic chemistry is very important, the particular reason for that is it is the study of
life and all of the chemical reactions related to life. Multifarious careers apply an understanding
of organic chemistry, such as, chemist, veterinarians, doctors, pharmacologists, dentist,
chemical engineers, and etc. Organic chemistry is a very interesting, innovative and creative
branch of chemistry in which we study, discover and explore various compounds and reagents.
As I did some research to further know the applications of organic chemistry, I found out and
realized that organic chemistry has a wide range of applications along the lines are: it helps us
to upgrade and synthesize new compounds from older ones, it is an important part of
biotechnology and life processes, we get to know about so many useful and important
compounds such as rubber, plastics, fuel, detergents, cosmetics, dyes, etc. Also, organic
chemistry combined with biology forms the basis of medical and pharmaceutical sciences. It
helps us to study, understand, and discover new medicines and treatment techniques and many
more.
During my junior high school days, that time, we chose to what particular exploratory
course should we enroll. As I took agriculture during those yesteryears, I still even remembered
the importance and significance also, the adverse effects of fertilizers to the soils and plants. As
to what I have learned, a fertilizer is divided into two categories: organic and inorganic. Organic
fertilizer is usually made from plant or animal waste or powdered minerals. Examples include
manure and compost. These can be purchased or made by yourself as they don’t require any
special equipment. On the other hand, chemical, or inorganic fertilizers is derived from
inorganic matter. Here are some sorts of information about the fertilizer that I know with
regards to the associated advantages and disadvantages. Organic farming has been promoted
to restore soil health and fertility status through the addition of organic matter. These organic
fertilizers will make your soil–and plants–healthy and strong. Withal, there’s little to no risk of
toxic buildups of chemicals and salts that can be able to cause the death of plants. In addition,
the practice of applying organic fertilizers are sustainable, biodegradable, renewable, and
environmentally friendly. However, organic fertilizers on the other hand, they may not release
nutrients as soon as you need them since, microorganisms are required to break down and
release nutrients into the soil. So, it took months to harvest.
While inorganic (chemical or synthetic) fertilizers these nutrients are in a form readily
available to plants. Probably, improvement occurs in days. Another thing is that you will know
the exact ratio of nutrients you are giving as a result of the process used to make the fertilizer.
It doesn't necessarily mean that repeated application of inorganic fertilizers is beneficial to us
but it's my firm believe that this may also have threats in our environment. Associated the is
advantages of inorganic fertilizers are: they grow plants but do nothing to sustain the soil, these
chemical fertilizers are primarily made from nonrenewable sources, there is a danger of over
fertilization— this not only can kill plants but upset the entire ecosystem. And Repeated
applications may result in a toxic buildup of chemicals which can eventually make their way or
potentially leak into fruits and vegetables.
Soils have been used for growing crops over thousands of years without regulating
much for replenishing. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides are widely used in
agriculture to improve crop yields to meet the demands of the growing human population. Most
of the compounds used are synthetic, and their continuous overuse and non-judicious
application causes environmental pollution or worse destroy the environment and biodiversity
and cause chronic health problems in humans. Because of the fact that it was incessantly
practice, this has led to depletion and maceration of soils resulting in their low productivity. At
this point in time, several countries are working to minimize the action of using of
agrochemicals. This is a serious problem which can be solved through converting inorganic
farming into organic farming. Inorganic fertilizers are perhaps the most widely used form of
chemical in agriculture. Fertilizers are added to the soil in which crops are growing to provide
nutrients required by the plants but, in contrast it has an adverse effect. Another factor
resulting the low production of agricultural crops are pests, germs and weeds cause heavy loss
to crops. Biocide’s chemicals that were very toxic and non-organic including pesticides,
herbicides and weedicides are used to save the crops and to avoid losses. The increased use of
these inputs has saved a lot of crops, especially the food crops from unnecessary wastage. But
indiscriminate use of biocides has resulted in wide spread environmental pollution which takes
its own toll.
Moreover, with the expansion of cities (urbanization) due to increases in population,
there has been a loss of agricultural land. Appropriate use of fertilizers to increase crop yield
has in part counterbalanced this loss of land. Through the production of pesticides and
fertilizers, it is evident that chemistry has played a significant role in maximizing the yield of
crops. A branch of chemistry which plays a significant role in the production of these chemicals
is known as organic chemistry. The action used of organic chemistry has been the heart of food
production and became crop protection strategies for arable farming and agriculture sector. And
through the application of organic chemistry in the field of agriculture, it has transitioned to
using safer chemicals. Most used today have very low toxicity. Truly, the development of more
stable and sustainable agroecosystems for improving food production has caused wide public
concern in recent years
As we all know, the basic need of human being is food. Indeed, it is the agriculture
only which fulfills this need for the entire population in the world. As world population continues
to grow, it is timely to assess the current situation, anticipate future challenges and consider
how new chemistry may help meet those challenges. For over half century, organic chemistry
has been the mainstay of crop protection strategies for the exact purpose of arable farming and
food production. Fertilizers which help to improve fertility and supply of nutrients to plant and is
very essential for growth. Pesticides which are chemicals that are added to the soil to kill pests
include herbicides which inhibit the growth of unwanted plants, and insecticides destroy insects
that harm the plants are very important for the supply of agriculture products. Hence, organic
farmers use natural pesticides and fertilizers, which differs from traditional agriculture using
synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators to improve crop yields. In the final
analysis of problems caused to the environment and human health by the overuse of synthetic
agrochemicals, they present some alternatives involving sustainable and ecofriendly materials,
some of which are readily available. On paper, an organic chemist and a farmer work together
to bring the biggest, freshest, and safest foods to our markets.
For us to fully understand better the importance of organic fertilizer on the crops, we
humans need elements such as calcium and iron as our vitamins, since we have bones and
teeth that need to stay strong. Just like us, plants can use some additional help to grow up
healthy and strong. In order to stay healthy and grow normally, crops require a number of
nutrients, fertilizers are basically plant vitamins in that they supply additional nutrients to the
soil that help plants grow. Fertilizers are made from compost piles, organic matter, and organic
waste. In addition to making plants stronger, both chemists and farmers work to make the
enemies of plants weaker. They work together to develop pesticides that will protect plants
from these nemeses yet keep the humans who eventually eat these plants (us) safe.
Furthermore, organic chemistry has been, and for the foreseeable future will remain,
vitally important for crop protection. Control of fungal pathogens, insect pests and weeds is
crucial to enhanced food provision. The control of fungal pathogens, insect pests and weeds
has made a crucial contribution to food provision worldwide by ensuring the harvested yield of
the world's crops. In addition, organic chemistry not solely focuses for the production and
protection in the agricultural yields but, also for making storage and preservation of agriculture
produce like food preservatives for longer shell life—an example of new generation refrigerants
had been developed. Also, chemicals which are added to promote the ripening of fruits or the
germination of seeds, and food packaging has advanced due to the material produced by
advancements in chemistry. Similar to this, the development of saccharin and sweeteners,
vitamins, and minerals. Consumers have benefited from new technologies that have enhanced
the flavor, appearance, availability, and nutritional value of their food.
Through exploring and studying the organic chemistry, diverse and vast compounds,
its unique properties, their complex structures. The life-lesson I have learned from this course is
that our instinct would tell us that the most important element on Earth is oxygen for this
element enables us to breathe to stay alive. In reality, I have realized that it is not oxygen but
carbon that keeps us alive. Carbon makes up almost every molecule needed by living organisms.
The food and clothing, household items, and industrial products are all composed of carbon.
Indeed, carbon is one of the major keys to survival. This idea has to be understood and
recognized. There are things in this life that seem to be unrecognizable. We tend to neglect
them for we think that they have nothing to do with our lives. But once they are gone, we
realize that their presence is worth keeping. So, learn to appreciate everything or everyone that
comes along us, for in one way or another, they could affect and influence our lives.
To sum up everything that has stated so far, organic chemistry plays a part in the
development of common household chemicals, foods, plastics, drugs, and fuels most of the
chemical’s part of daily life. Thus, Chemistry has been and is still closely linked to the progress
in agriculture field. It provides innovative new ways to widen the boundaries of agriculture and
to combat potential problems and thus increasing productivity and quality of produce. Organic
chemistry provides a host of useful products that have made the world more colorful with
synthetic dyes, improved public health through pesticides and drugs, and increased the crop
yields with fertilizers and pesticides.