Concept, Examples and Organic Matter

We explain what is organic matter and some examples.What is organic matter and its differences with inorganic matter.

Inorganic matter is not a product of the chemical reactions of life.

What is inorganic matter?

When we talk about inorganic matter we refer to all those chemical compounds in whose molecular structure carbon does not constitute the central atom , and that therefore are not closely linked to the chemistry of life (organic chemistry), neither biodegradable, nor generally combustible or volatile.

In other words, inorganic matter is that which is not the product of the chemical reactions of life, but rather obeys the logic of ionic and electromagnetic attraction , thus experiencing much faster reactions.This does not mean that they are substances totally foreign to living beings, since many of them are present in their bodies or serve of food substrate (in the case of autotrophic living beings, especially).Water, for example, is considered an inorganic biomolecule, that is, inorganic matter necessary for life.

Inorganic chemistry is the which is responsible for study this type of subject.

See also: Inorganic Compound.

Examples of inorganic matter

Some common inorganic substances are: water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium chloride (NaCl).Metals, terrestrial minerals and the various salts they form are also examples of inorganic matter.

What is organic matter?

Organic matter is chemically composed around carbon.

Unlike inorganic matter, organic matter is that linked to the chemistry of life and that composes the bodies, substances and derivatives of living beings .Organic matter is chemically composed around carbon as a fundamental element, so organic chemistry is also known as the "carbon chemistry".

Organic matter has a range of reactions very different from inorganic matter , and is capable of forming long molecular chains (macromolecules) such as those that make up the proteins and sugars essential for life as as we know it.

Follow in: Organic Matter.

Differences between organic and inorganic matter

Inorganic matter is generally non-combustible and non-volatile.

The differences between organic and inorganic matter can be summarized as follows:

• The essential: organic matter is generated by living beings, while inorganic is formed due to natural reactions in which life does not intervene.


• Organic matter is chemically composed around carbon atoms, this being its fundamental element.The inorganic one, on the other hand, presents various other elements in its place.


• Organic matter is biodegradable, that is, it can be decomposed by the action of biological mechanisms or simple deterioration, reduced to its basic elements, but not inorganic, which depends on electromagnetic (ionic) attraction.


• Inorganic matter is generally incombustible and non-volatile, while the main known fuels are of organic origin, such as oil.


• Organic matter may have isomerism (molecules of the same constitution but different physical-chemical properties, due to a different orientation of atoms), while inorganic matter generally does not.