UNIT+3+Chapter+8+Research+Project

  Do an Internet search to learn the chemical formula for an organic chemical of your choice. For ideas of an organic chemical, consider the name of a medicine, drug, household plastic, fabric, or others. Examine labels for ideas. How will you know when you discover an organic chemical formula?  Use the following links to help you with your research. Choose one of the following means to present your research:   Your final product should include the following:  title  formula  chemical composition  how it works/practical uses  conclusion  [|Organic chemistry] What is ‘organic chemistry’? Find out here.
 * Research Project – **<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Choose Project A **OR** Project B <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Project A **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Create a PowerPoint Presentation **OR**
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Create a Podcast **OR**
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Create a poster **OR**
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Create a pamphlet

[|**How Aspirin Works**] Aspirin is a common household drug. Learn more about the chemistry behind this useful medicine.

[|**How Caffeine Works**] Caffeine is a major component of coffee and is also an addictive drug for those who consume it frequently. Learn more about the chemistry of caffeine and why it is useful as a cardiac stimulant.

[|**How Alcohol Works**] Beer, wine, and liquor are all common forms of alcohol. This site explains the chemical make up of alcohol, its use, and some of the effects it can have on the body. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|**How Plastics Work**] This site explores the role that chemistry plays in developing plastics.

[|**Fiber Source**] Learn more about nylon fibre products, its chemical composition, and some practical uses of this fabric.

[|**What’s that stuff?**] SPANDEX – This synthetic fibre is famous for its property of elasticity. Stronger and more durable than rubber, it was invented in 1959 by an American chemical company called Dupont. Learn more about this exceptional synthetic fibre. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="color: #00cd00; font-family: 'Frutiger-Bold','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What role do synthetic chemicals play in food production and how do these foods affect your health? The world population is constantly increasing and travel is much more accessible than in the past. As a result, scientists are not only faced with the challenge of providing an adequate food supply, but also with controlling disease. Naturally grown foods are safe to produce and consume, but are they healthier and can their rate of production meet world needs? What are the alternatives and are they safe? <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">People should eat only organic foods. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">All foods contain organic compounds, but an organic food is one that has been grown in certain soil conditions. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">“ <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Organic farming <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">” <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">refers to crops that have been grown without using any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides (Figure 1). Organic farming is often considered the most natural way to farm in the sense that it relies solely on natural fertilizers (manure) and natural methods of controlling pests and disease. Organic farming also includes growing plants, whose fibres are used in clothing, and the growing of grapes, which are used to make organic wines. Farmers can grow certified organic crops by meeting strict standards, including proper buffer fields between the organic field and any non-organic fields (preventing non-organic pollen from fertilizing organic crops). All crops that are to be sold as organic must be inspected and certified. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">According to public attitudes, organic food is the healthy option, both for people and the environment. But is organic food really as good as we think? One argument is that organic farming can lead to the risk of contamination with dangerous natural bacteria and mould toxins. Increased levels of natural pesticide found in organic produce could even be as dangerous as synthetic chemicals. Conventional (non-organic) farming has utilized synthetic chemicals such <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">as fertilizers and pesticides since their development (Figure 2). Fertilizers containing elemental nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium have been manufactured for the past one hundred years. Plants depend on nitrogen for leaf and stem growth, phosphorus for root development and blooms, and potassium for roots and general vigour. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="display: none; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-hide: all;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * <span style="color: navy; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Project B ****<span style="color: green; font-family: 'Frutiger-Bold','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">The Great Organic Debate: Healthier— Yes or No? **<span style="color: #00cd00; font-family: 'Frutiger-Bold','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">
 * <span style="color: #1a80e6; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The Issue: Naturally Grown Foods Are Healthier **
 * <span style="color: #1a80e6; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Statement **
 * <span style="color: #1a80e6; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Background to the Issue **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Organic Farming **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Non-Organic Farming **
 * <span style="color: #1a80e6; font-family: 'Frutiger-BlackCn','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-BlackCn;">Take a Position **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Minion-Bold','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Minion-Bold;">1. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Minion-Regular','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Minion-Regular;">Carefully read the statement and background information.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Minion-Bold','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Minion-Bold;">2. **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Minion-Regular','serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Minion-Regular;">research the topics of organic and non-organic foods and how chemistry is involved in agriculture. Sources of information could include newspaper or journal articles, textbooks, library references, and the Internet. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Prepare a presentation that supports your position on organic versus non-organic foods. Prepare a list of pros and cons, and establish an argument for how your pros outweigh your cons. Consider, for example: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(a) What types of chemicals are used and what are their benefits and hazards? <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(b) What effects do organic and inorganic foods have on human health? <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(c) What effects do the organic and inorganic farming practices have on human and environmental health? (d) How available and affordable are organic and inorganic farming practices throughout the world? <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">The presentation can take the form of a Podcast, PowerPoint or poster. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Use the links below as a start to your research. [|**The benefits or organic food versus non-organic food**] This article discusses the possible benefits of organic foods in comparison with non-organic food. Search for other articles that discuss organic and non-organic foods.
 * <span style="color: #1a80e6; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Communicate Your Position **

[|**Organic vs. Non-organic Farming – The Debate**] This site, from the Royal Society of Chemistry, looks at the ongoing debate between organic and non-organic farming. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|**Agricultural Chemists**] Learn more about how chemistry is involved in agriculture.