008 EXPLAIN: Chemistry and Its Branches

Which area of chemistry is focused on studying the structure, composition, and reactions of substances within living systems?

• Physical Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry

• Analytical Chemistry

What area of chemistry deals primarily with analyzing the composition and structure of matter?

• Organic Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering

• Inorganic Chemistry

A chemist develops a new polymer synthesis process in the lab and then works on scaling up production for commercial use. Which area best describes this work?

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering

• Physical Chemistry

A researcher studies the reaction kinetics and energy changes during a chemical reaction in detail. Which area of chemistry does this belong to?

• Organic Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry

• Analytical Chemistry

Which area is primarily concerned with compounds that do not contain carbon–hydrogen frameworks?

• Organic Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry

Designing a new drug involves synthesizing carbon-based compounds and understanding their chemical reactions. This work is most likely in which area?

• Organic Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering

• Inorganic Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry

A team is developing a biosensor that detects glucose levels in blood using a chemical compound that changes color upon binding glucose. Which combination of areas are most likely involved?

• Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry and Analytical Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry

An industrial chemist must design a process to manufacture a new polymer under controlled temperature and pressure. Which areas of chemistry are most relevant?

• Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering and Physical Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry and Biological/Biochemistry

• Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry

Suppose scientists are exploring metal-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond formation for synthesizing pharmaceuticals. Which pair of areas best describes their work?

• Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry

• Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry

Researchers are measuring reaction rates of an enzymatic process and then designing a reactor for large-scale production of the enzyme. Which areas does their work combine?

• Analytical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry

• Biological/Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering

• Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry and Biological/Biochemistry