Which statement correctly distinguishes organic and inorganic compounds?

Which statement correctly distinguishes organic and inorganic compounds?

• A. Organic compounds do not contain carbon; inorganic do
• B. Organic means containing carbon; inorganic means derived from minerals
• C. Organic means natural
• D. Inorganic means synthetic only

Answer: (B)

The distinction between carbon-centered organic compounds and inorganic compounds is what this question tests. Organic compounds are typically built around carbon, often with hydrogen, forming the backbone of most pesticides and many other chemicals. Inorganic compounds cover everything not based on that carbon framework, including minerals, salts, metals, water, and simple gases like carbon dioxide. Because of that broad difference, saying that organic means containing carbon and inorganic means derived from minerals is the clearest, most practical rule of thumb among common definitions. The other statements don’t fit: organic compounds do contain carbon; organic does not strictly mean natural since many synthetic organics exist; and inorganic compounds are not limited to synthetic substances since many occur in nature.

The distinction between carbon-centered organic compounds and inorganic compounds is what this question tests. Organic compounds are typically built around carbon, often with hydrogen, forming the backbone of most pesticides and many other chemicals. Inorganic compounds cover everything not based on that carbon framework, including minerals, salts, metals, water, and simple gases like carbon dioxide. Because of that broad difference, saying that organic means containing carbon and inorganic means derived from minerals is the clearest, most practical rule of thumb among common definitions. The other statements don’t fit: organic compounds do contain carbon; organic does not strictly mean natural since many synthetic organics exist; and inorganic compounds are not limited to synthetic substances since many occur in nature.