Carbon compounds that come from living organisms are called organic compounds.

While not *all* organic compounds come from living things, the term is historically tied to this origin.

Here's a breakdown:

* Organic implies a connection to life, often meaning it was produced by living organisms.

* Inorganic refers to compounds that aren't derived from living things, like minerals and salts.

However, the modern definition of "organic" in chemistry is broader, encompassing any molecule containing carbon, regardless of its origin. This includes things like plastics, which are synthesized in labs but still contain carbon.

So, while the historical link to living organisms is important, the modern understanding of organic compounds is based on their chemical structure.