Statistics for 50 Important Compounds

[a component of photosynthesis;

a refrigerant used in food transport]

[the key to virtually

all life on Earth]

[a medium used in

infrared lasers]

[table salt; also used in

road de-icing]

[the main component of

natural gas; a fuel]

[a component of vinegar

and photographic film]

[a material used in road

construction and iron purification]

[a disinfectant;

used to bleach paper]

[a fuel commonly used in

barbecues and portable stoves]

[a component of propane

and camping fuel]

[a natural sugar,

derived from cornstarch]

[a chemical used to

regulate the acidity of water]

[a component of cement;

found in nature as quartz]

[a common industrial material;

used to make plaster]

[a hormone used to

treat diabetes]

[the mineral, hematite,

needed to make steel]

[an oxidizer used in rocket motors

and aerosol sprays]

[a chemical used in the

pulping of wood for paper]

[a component in soap,

glass, and china production]

[a chemical used in fertilizers

detergents, and pharmaceuticals]

[a stimulant often present

in coffee, tea and chocolate]

[an embalming agent used

to preserve animal tissue]

[baking soda, a leavening

agent used in cooking]

[the light-absorbing molecule

responsible for photosynthesis]

[a component of fertilizers

and toothpaste for sensitive teeth]

[a solvent for fats, oils,

rubber, waxes, and resins]

[in dentistry, a solution

used to prepare teeth for fillings]

[a chemical commonly used

in petroleum products]

[a chemical used in the

production of rubber]

[adrenaline, used to treat

anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest]

[a powerful, pain-relieving

narcotic]

[an antibiotic used

to treat infections]

[a fatty acid; used to make

strong, transparent plastic]

[a flavouring and preservative

in food and drinks]

[used to treat malaria (less now);

used to treat arthritis]

[a pain-relieving and

anti-inflammatory drug]

[a natural spice used to

flavour foods such as ice cream]

[an essential ingredient

in many types of explosives]

[a component of flame

retardants]

[an essential component of

all animal cell membranes]

["Prozac", a drug used to

treat depression]

[a component in the manufacture

of plastic packaging]

[a component in many

cosmetics and metallic paints]

[helps to stabilize cells

in response to heat stress]

["Ritalin", a drug used to treat

attentional disorders]