Trees are a natural supply of valuable chemicals. Chemicals
such as turpentine and rosin come from the sticky sap of trees.
Lignin is another chemical
we get from trees. Cellulose, used for making pulp and paper, is also used in many products.
Chemicals from Trees How can we create so many different chemical products
from trees? When chemicals are removed from the tree and mixed
with other chemicals, a chemical reaction occurs. The energy
from this reaction can create a completely different chemical.
This is how chemicals from trees can be used to make products
as different as artificial vanilla flavoring and frames for
your eyeglasses.
Copying Nature
Scientists find useful compounds that trees make naturally and
then learn to make them in a factory from synthetic
materials. Aspirin originally came from a substance in willow
bark. Rubber also has been "copied" in a factory.
Using Cellulose in
Many Products Cellulose are
converted and used in many products. Cellulose gum is what
makes toothpaste "paste" and helps it stay on the
toothbrush. In parmesan cheese, cellulose powder keeps the
grated cheese from getting lumpy. Shampoo would be just watery
soap without cellulose to make it thick.
Trees are a natural supply of valuable chemicals. Chemicals
such as turpentine and rosin come from the sticky sap of trees.
