Organic Chemistry is ...

"The study of the world’s best element, carbon, and how it interacts with its best friends, hydrogen, nitrogen and the halogens and other compounds that have carbon."

"The study of our extremely versatile friend carbon and its many adventures in displaying the unique and divine in the universe through order, geometry and in forming a myriad of new possibilities."

"Extremely colorful with a wide assortment of ingredients containing carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen (nitrogen too!) and many different recipes that will make desired goods."

from the final exam for Chem 221 (spring 2007)