Organic chemistry is often perceived to be incomprehensible and disjointed from general chemistry. And while scientists ponder the complexity of nature and provide us with concepts of bonding, descriptions of organic mechanisms, and explanations of reactivity in functional groups, there is another reason why organic chemistry is so important?organic chemistry makes up our life. In What's the Matter Personalizing Principles of Organic Chemistry, Dr. Nichole Coleman uses everyday imagery to personalize organic principles in a way that will help students understand not only how atoms behave but also how atoms and molecules feel. The goal is to help students of organic chemistry and those generally interested in chemistry understand the basic chemical principles of organic chemistry through the power of metaphor and analogy.

No matter how careful we are at using metals in industrial processes, some level of human exposure is unavoidable. Countless metals are obtained through mining and smelting activities that amplify their distribution throughout the environment. Applications of metals in industry, medicine, and agriculture have increased our exposure. These metals are not merely an occupational hazard for those working with them-they affect consumers and anyone exposed through environmental contamination. Even worse, they cannot be destroyed and are thus non-biodegradable. The blades we use, the pots and pans we cook with, children's face paint, and facial makeup contain toxic metals. Toxic heavy metals are also found in cigarettes, gourmet foods such as seasonings, fish, and chocolates. When you sprinkle a dish with Himalayan sea salt, you may end up ingesting toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead.