The most interesting fact about chemistry. Organic chemistry: interesting facts

By the end of the 19th century, organic chemistry had been formed as a science. Interesting facts will help to better understand the surrounding world and learn how to make new scientific discoveries.

"Live" dish

The first interesting fact about chemistry concerns an unusual meal. One of the famous dishes of Japanese cuisine - "Odori Don" - "dancing squid." Many are shocked by the sight of the squid stirring in the tentacles in the dish. But do not worry, he does not suffer and has not felt anything for a long time. Freshly squid squid is placed in a bowl of rice and soy sauce before serving. Squid tentacles begin to contract. This is due to the special structure of the nerve fibers, which for some time after the death of the animal react with the sodium ions contained in the sauce, causing the muscles to contract.

Accidental discovery

Interesting facts about chemistry are often related to discoveries made by chance. So, in 1903 Edward Benedictus, a famous French chemist, invented safety glass. The scientist accidentally dropped the flask, which was filled with nitrocellulose. He noticed that the bulb was broken, but the glass did not scatter to pieces. After carrying out the necessary studies, the chemist established that in this way it is possible to create a shockproof glass. So there were the first unbreakable glasses for cars, which significantly reduced the number of injuries during auto accidents.

Live sensor

Interesting facts about chemistry tell about the use of animal sensitivity for human use. Up to 1986, miners took canaries under the ground. The matter is that these birds are extremely sensitive to mine gases, especially methane and carbon monoxide. Even with a small concentration of these substances in the air, the bird may die. The miners listened to the singing of the bird and watched its state of health. If the canary is uneasy or begins to weaken, it is a signal to the fact that the shaft needs to leave.

The bird did not necessarily die from poisoning, in the fresh air it quickly became better. Even special sealed cells were used, which were closed at signs of poisoning. Even today, a device that feels ore gases as thin as a canary is not invented.

Rubber

An interesting fact about chemistry: another casual invention is rubber. Charles Goodyear, an American scientist, discovered the recipe for making rubber that does not melt in the heat and does not break in the cold. He accidentally heated a mixture of sulfur and rubber, leaving it on the stove. The process of obtaining rubber was called vulcanization.

Penicillin

Another interesting fact about chemistry: penicillin was invented accidentally. Alexander Fleming forgot about the test tube with Staphylococcus bacteria for several days. And when I remembered about her, I discovered that the colony was dying. The whole thing turned out to be mold, which began to destroy the bacteria. It was from molds that the scientist received the world's first antibiotic.

Poltergeist

Interesting facts about chemistry can refute mystical stories. You can often hear about old houses filled with ghosts. And it's all about the outdated and poorly functioning heating system. Because of the leakage of carbon monoxide, which causes poisoning, residents of the house have headaches, as well as auditory and visual hallucinations.

Gray cardinals among plants

Interesting facts about proteins. Chemistry can explain the behavior of animals and plants. In the course of evolution, many plants developed mechanisms of protection against herbivores. Most often, they plants produce poison, but scientists have discovered a more subtle method of protection. Some plants excrete substances that attract ... predators! Predators regulate the number of herbivores and frighten them away from the place of growth of "smart" plants. Such a mechanism is even in the plants we habitually have, such as tomatoes and cucumbers. For example, a caterpillar undermined a cucumber leaf, and the scent of the juices extracted attracted birds.

Protein Defenders

Interesting facts: chemistry and medicine are closely related. During experiments on mice, virologists found interferon. This protein is produced in all vertebrates. A special protein, interferon, is released from the cell infected with the virus. It does not have an antiviral effect, but it contacts healthy cells and makes them immune to the virus.

The smell of metal

We usually think that coins, handrails in public transport, railings, etc., smell of metal. That's just this smell emits not metal, but compounds that are formed as a result of contact with the metallic surface of organic substances, for example, human sweat. In order for a person to feel a characteristic smell, you need very few reagents.

Construction material

Interesting facts about proteins. Chemistry studies proteins relatively recently. They arose more than 4 billion years ago in an incomprehensible way. Proteins are the building material for all living organisms, other forms of life are unknown to science. Half of the dry mass in most living organisms is made up of proteins.

Interesting Facts. Chemistry and soda

In 1767, Joseph Priestley was interested in the nature of the bubbles that come out of the beer during fermentation. He collected gas in a bowl of water, which he tasted. The water was pleasant and refreshing. Thus, the scientist discovered carbon dioxide, which is now used for the production of carbonated water. Five years later he described a more efficient method of obtaining this gas.

Sugar substitute

This interesting fact about chemistry suggests that many scientific discoveries were made almost by accident. A curious case led to the discovery of the properties of sucralose, a modern sugar substitute. Leslie Hugh, a professor from London studying the properties of the new trichlorosucrose substance, instructed his assistant Shashikant Phadnis to test it (test in English). A student who has a poor command of English understands this word as "taste", which means taste, and immediately followed the instructions. Sucralose was very sweet.

Aromatizer

Scatol is an organic compound formed in the intestines of animals and humans. It is this substance that causes the characteristic smell of feces. But if in large concentrations skatole has the smell of feces, then in a small amount this substance has a pleasant smell resembling cream or jasmine. Therefore skatole is used for aromatization of perfumes, food products and tobacco products.

Cote and iodine

An interesting fact about chemistry - in the discovery of iodine was directly involved the most common cat. The pharmacist and chemist Bernard Courtois usually dined in the laboratory, and he was often joined by a cat who liked to sit on the owner's shoulder. After another meal, the cat jumped to the floor, while overturning the containers with sulfuric acid and a slurry of algae ash in ethanol, standing at the desktop. The fluids mixed, and violet vapor began to rise in the air, settling on the objects with small black-purple crystals. So a new chemical element was discovered.