Ecology Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and with their environment. These interactions can be very complex. Human activity is having dramatic effects on other living things, for example deforestation and climate change pose a threat to many species. Studying ecology helps us to understand how we can continue to live on the planet while reducing the impact we have on other living things.
1.3 The chemical world
Scientists who study materials and how they react with each other are called chemists. In recent times our understanding of materials has increased dramatically. Studying the composition and properties of different materials helps us to use them more efficiently. By understanding the chemical basis of different materials we can change existing materials and even create new types of materials. These materials have a wide range of uses.
Aircraft manufacturing Carbon fibre is an example of a man-made material. The bodies of aeroplanes were traditionally made from aluminium. Carbon fibre is lighter and stronger than aluminium and is increasingly being used in the manufacture of aeroplanes, cars and bicycles.
Fig. 5 Carbon fibre is light and strong.
Fig. 6 Approximately 22% of the Airbus A380 is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.
Clothing The blue dye that is used to colour denim jeans is called indigo. It was developed by a German chemist called Adolf von Baeyer. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1905.
Pharmaceuticals Chemists also work to develop new medicines. Insulin is a chemical that is naturally produced in the human body. It controls blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to make or use insulin. By studying the chemical structure of insulin, chemists were able to develop ways of manufacturing insulin so that it can be given to people with diabetes.
Fig. 7 A blue dye called indigo colours denim jeans.
