Organic Compound - GCSE Chemistry Definition

An organic compound is a chemical compound that contains carbon atoms bonded to other elements, usually hydrogen, and often oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, or phosphorus. These compounds are called organic because they were originally associated with living things, although many can now be made in laboratories. Organic compounds include important substances like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as fuels such as alkanes and alcohols. In GCSE Chemistry, organic compounds are studied to understand their structures, naming, and reactions, especially in topics like crude oil, polymers, and functional groups.