Some synthetic substances are exactly the same as substances found in nature. Why would scientists synthesize something that already exists?
Scientists may synthesize a substance that already exists in nature for several reasons:
1. Availability: Sometimes natural substances may not be easily available in large quantities or may be limited to specific geographic locations. Synthesizing the substance allows scientists to create it in larger quantities, making it more readily accessible for research and practical applications.
2. Purity: Natural substances can often contain impurities or other components that may affect their use or analysis. By synthesizing the substance, scientists can ensure a higher level of purity and control over its composition.
3. Modification: Synthesizing a substance gives scientists the ability to modify its chemical structure or properties. By making small changes, they can potentially create new versions of the substance with enhanced characteristics, such as improved effectiveness or reduced side effects.
4. Study and understanding: When scientists synthesize a substance, they can study its properties in a controlled environment and gain a deeper understanding of its behavior and interactions. This knowledge can contribute to advancements in various fields, such as medicine, materials science, and environmental research.
5. Patent protection: In some cases, synthesizing a substance that already exists in nature may be done for patent protection purposes. By creating a synthetic version, scientists and companies can secure intellectual property rights and commercialize their products or processes.
Overall, synthesizing substances that already exist in nature allows scientists to overcome limitations, gain better control, and explore new possibilities for research, development, and innovation.
Scientists may synthesize something that already exists in nature for several reasons:
1. Cost-effectiveness: Synthetic production of a substance may be more cost-effective than extracting it from natural sources. For example, it could be cheaper to synthesize a particular medication in a laboratory rather than extracting it from a rare plant.
2. Stability and purity: Natural substances could vary in quality and purity due to factors such as environmental conditions, seasonal variations, or contamination. By synthesizing a substance, scientists can ensure its stability and purity, which is crucial for many applications, including pharmaceuticals.
3. Scalability: Some substances found in nature may be available only in small quantities or limited geographical locations. Synthesizing them in a laboratory allows for scalability, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable supply.
4. Modification and improvement: By synthesizing a natural substance, scientists can modify its properties or molecular structure to enhance its effectiveness or develop derivatives with improved qualities. This can lead to the creation of more potent drugs or materials with superior properties compared to their natural counterparts.
5. Intellectual property: Developing a synthetic version of a natural substance can allow scientists and companies to obtain patents, protecting their invention and enabling them to commercialize and profit from their research.
In summary, synthesizing a substance that already exists in nature offers advantages such as cost-effectiveness, stability, scalability, modification, and the opportunity for intellectual property protection.
a. because they can.
b. cost and availability of supply. Not all natural things are easy to harvest.
c. future availability of supply. resources are limited.
d. synthesizing something makes it easier to learn how to modify it.