Separates the material into three distinct areas of study (general, organic and biological), offering clear explanations of matter and measurement, atoms, chemical reactions, gases, acids and bases, hydrocarbons, aldehydes and ketones, stereoisomerism, lipids, nucleic acids and protein synthesis, and much more. Includes "Special Topics" mini-chapters covering such diverse areas as electrolytes, sight and odor, digestion, drugs, and hormones, and explores many newsworthy topics including acid rain, the greenhouse effect, anabolic steroids, designer drugs, AIDS, osteoporosis, chromium supplements, arteriosclerosis, lead poisoning, blood doping, hemophilia, and cancer risks. Offers boxed essays and many examples that illustrate chemistry's application to the real world.