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Organic Compounds

Organic Compounds

All living things are formed mostly of carbon compounds called organic compounds. The category of organic compounds includes both natural and synthetic compounds that contain carbon. Although a single, precise definition has yet to be identified by the chemistry community, most agree that a defining trait of organic molecules is the presence of carbon as the principal element, bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms. However, some carbon-containing compounds such as carbonates, cyanides, and...

What is Organic Chemistry?

What is Organic Chemistry?

Organic chemistry is the study of compounds of carbon called organic compounds. Organic compounds either originate from living organisms or are synthesized by chemists. A defining trait of these compounds is the presence of carbon as the principal element, which is bonded to other carbon atoms and other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. The existence of a wide array of organic molecules is a consequence of carbon atoms’ ability to form up to four strong bonds to other...

Conditions on Early Earth

Conditions on Early Earth

Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.

Conditions on Early Earth

Conditions on Early Earth

Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.

Oxidation and Reduction of Organic Molecules

Oxidation and Reduction of Organic Molecules

Energy production within a cell involves many coordinated chemical pathways. Most of these pathways are combinations of oxidation and reduction reactions, which occur at the same time. An oxidation reaction strips an electron from an atom in a compound, and the addition of this electron to another compound is a reduction reaction. Because oxidation and reduction usually occur together, these pairs of reactions are called redox reactions.
The removal of an electron from a molecule, results in a...

Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents

Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents

In gravimetry, the precipitant is chosen carefully to obtain a pure solid that can be easily filtered. Common inorganic precipitants can be used to determine several cations and anions. In some cases, the formation of the same precipitate can be used to determine the cation and the anion. For example, the reaction of barium and chromate ions to give barium chromate is used to determine both barium and chromate. However, precipitates such as hydroxides, oxalates, and metal ammonium phosphates...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

Organics on Mars?

Inge L ten Kate¹

¹NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA. Inge.L.TenKate@nasa.gov

|August 26, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Organic molecules may exist on Mars, but past detection methods were limited. New techniques are needed to overcome challenges like perchlorates, which interfere with organic detection on the Martian surface.

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Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Published on: January 7, 2019

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Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Combined Size and Density Fractionation of Soils for Investigations of Organo-Mineral Interactions

Published on: February 15, 2019

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Planetary Science
Organic Geochemistry

Background:

Organics are anticipated on Mars from various sources, yet surface detection remains elusive.
Previous missions like Viking did not detect organics, influencing interpretations of Martian life.
Recent findings of perchlorates and methane necessitate a re-evaluation of Martian organic detection strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the persistent question of organic molecule presence on Mars.
To evaluate the limitations of past and current organic detection methods.
To propose improved strategies for future Martian organic analysis.

Main Methods:

Review of Viking and Phoenix mission findings regarding organic detection.
Analysis of the interference posed by Martian soil perchlorates on organic analysis.
Consideration of upcoming Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) techniques, including derivatization.

Main Results:

Viking's gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer had a parts-per-billion detection limit, failing to find organics.
Martian soil perchlorates can interfere with organic detection through combustion during pyrolysis.
New methods, like liquid derivatization, are being explored to enhance organic detectability.

Conclusions:

The question of organic presence on Mars remains unresolved due to detection limitations.
Perchlorates pose a significant challenge to identifying organics in Martian soil samples.
Future missions require diverse and advanced techniques beyond traditional pyrolysis-GC-MS for robust organic detection.