Molecular Properties - MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
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Drain cleaners are a common household staple, used to open clogged drains in bathtubs and sinks. Human hair is a common culprit that clogs pipes, and hair is made predominately of protein. Drain cleaners are effective at breaking down proteins that have accumulated in plumbing. Drain cleaners can be either acidic or basic, and are also effective at breaking down fats that have accumulated with proteins.
A typical reaction—reaction 1—which would be expected for a drain cleaner on contact with human hair, would be as follows in an aqueous solution:
Another reaction that may occur, reaction 2, would take place as follows in an aqueous solution:
The C–N bond in the original protein, before reaction with drain cleaner is .
Drain cleaners are a common household staple, used to open clogged drains in bathtubs and sinks. Human hair is a common culprit that clogs pipes, and hair is made predominately of protein. Drain cleaners are effective at breaking down proteins that have accumulated in plumbing. Drain cleaners can be either acidic or basic, and are also effective at breaking down fats that have accumulated with proteins.
A typical reaction—reaction 1—which would be expected for a drain cleaner on contact with human hair, would be as follows in an aqueous solution:
Another reaction that may occur, reaction 2, would take place as follows in an aqueous solution:
The C–N bond in the original protein, before reaction with drain cleaner is .
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The C–N bond is a single bond, and the carbonyl bond is a double bond. Double bonds are stronger and shorter than single bonds.
The C–N bond is a single bond, and the carbonyl bond is a double bond. Double bonds are stronger and shorter than single bonds.
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Drain cleaners a common household staple, used to open clogged drains in bathtubs and sinks. Human hair is a common culprit that clogs pipes, and hair is made predominately of protein. Drain cleaners are effective at breaking down proteins that have accumulated in plumbing. Drain cleaners can be either acidic or basic, and are also effective at breaking down fats that have accumulated with proteins.
A typical reaction—reaction 1—which would be expected for a drain cleaner on contact with human hair, would be as follows in an aqueous solution:
Another reaction that may occur, reaction 2, would take place as follows in an aqueous solution:
In the carbonyl bonds of the preceeding passage .
Drain cleaners a common household staple, used to open clogged drains in bathtubs and sinks. Human hair is a common culprit that clogs pipes, and hair is made predominately of protein. Drain cleaners are effective at breaking down proteins that have accumulated in plumbing. Drain cleaners can be either acidic or basic, and are also effective at breaking down fats that have accumulated with proteins.
A typical reaction—reaction 1—which would be expected for a drain cleaner on contact with human hair, would be as follows in an aqueous solution:
Another reaction that may occur, reaction 2, would take place as follows in an aqueous solution:
In the carbonyl bonds of the preceeding passage .
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The carbon at the center of a carbonyl group bonds with three sigma bonds, and one pi bond. The pi bond exists above and below the plane of the sigma bond. This carbon thus shows sp2 hybridization.
The carbon at the center of a carbonyl group bonds with three sigma bonds, and one pi bond. The pi bond exists above and below the plane of the sigma bond. This carbon thus shows sp2 hybridization.
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Which organelle would have the most negative effect if its membrane were damaged?
Which organelle would have the most negative effect if its membrane were damaged?
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The lysosomes contain an acidic environment and digestive enzymes. Damage to the membrane would allow hydrogen ions and these enzymes to escape into the cytoplasm of the cell, where they would do damage to the other cellular components.
Damage to a mitochondrion or chloroplast would affect energy production in the cell, but would not actively cause damage. Ribosomes don't have membranes.
The lysosomes contain an acidic environment and digestive enzymes. Damage to the membrane would allow hydrogen ions and these enzymes to escape into the cytoplasm of the cell, where they would do damage to the other cellular components.
Damage to a mitochondrion or chloroplast would affect energy production in the cell, but would not actively cause damage. Ribosomes don't have membranes.
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Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH. The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function. Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.
The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems. The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed. By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.
What is the predicted molecular orbital hybridization state of the carbon in carbonic acid?
Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH. The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function. Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.
The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems. The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed. By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.
What is the predicted molecular orbital hybridization state of the carbon in carbonic acid?
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Carbons bound via one double bond are sp2 hybridized, as long as the remaining two bonds are each sigma bonds. Take the number of sigma bonds and subtract one for your exponent in the spx expression.
Carbons bound via one double bond are sp2 hybridized, as long as the remaining two bonds are each sigma bonds. Take the number of sigma bonds and subtract one for your exponent in the spx expression.
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Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH. The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function. Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.
The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems. The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed. By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.
The bond that is present between the carbon atom and the carbonyl oxygen atom in carbonc acid is best described as having which of the following?
Among the most important pH buffer systems in humans is the bicarbonate buffer, which keeps the blood at a remarkably precise 7.42 pH. The bicarbonate buffer system uses a series of important compounds and enzymes to make the system function. Figure 1 depicts the key reactions that take place.
The activity of this buffer system is mainly controlled by the renal and respiratory systems. The renal system excretes bicarbonate in the urine, while the respiratory system “blows off” carbon dioxide as needed. By balancing these two systems as needed, blood pH is maintained in such a narrow range.
The bond that is present between the carbon atom and the carbonyl oxygen atom in carbonc acid is best described as having which of the following?
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The bond in question is a double bond, and thus is composed of one sigma and one pi bond.
The bond in question is a double bond, and thus is composed of one sigma and one pi bond.
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Under normal circumstances, which of the following carbons will be sp3 hybridized?
Under normal circumstances, which of the following carbons will be sp3 hybridized?
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Carbanions are usually sp3 hybridized. Free radical carbons, carbocations, and double bonded carbons are all sp2 hybridized.
Carbanions are usually sp3 hybridized. Free radical carbons, carbocations, and double bonded carbons are all sp2 hybridized.
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When formic acid is completely reduced, methanol is formed.
What is the hybridization of the carbon in formic acid, compared to the carbon in methanol?
When formic acid is completely reduced, methanol is formed.
What is the hybridization of the carbon in formic acid, compared to the carbon in methanol?
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In order to find the hybridization of an atom, simply count the number of sigma bonds and lone pair electrons around the atom. The carbon in formic acid is double bonded to an oxygen, and has two single bonds. This means that it has sp2 hybridization. Upon being reduced to methanol, the carbon now has four single bonds surrounding it. As a result, the carbon now has sp3 hybridization.
Remember that a triple bond corresponds to sp hydrization, a double bond to sp2, and single bonds to sp3 for a carbon atom.
In order to find the hybridization of an atom, simply count the number of sigma bonds and lone pair electrons around the atom. The carbon in formic acid is double bonded to an oxygen, and has two single bonds. This means that it has sp2 hybridization. Upon being reduced to methanol, the carbon now has four single bonds surrounding it. As a result, the carbon now has sp3 hybridization.
Remember that a triple bond corresponds to sp hydrization, a double bond to sp2, and single bonds to sp3 for a carbon atom.
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Which compound will have the highest bond energy?
Which compound will have the highest bond energy?
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In organic chemistry, the trend is that bond length is inversely proportional to bond energy. Shorter bonds result in a higher bond energy. The double bond in ethene is the shortest bond out of all the others. As a result, it has the highest bond energy.
Note that in benzene there are three double bonds and three single bonds between carbons, however, resonance means that each of these only has partial double bond character, and is therefore longer than a pure double bond.
In organic chemistry, the trend is that bond length is inversely proportional to bond energy. Shorter bonds result in a higher bond energy. The double bond in ethene is the shortest bond out of all the others. As a result, it has the highest bond energy.
Note that in benzene there are three double bonds and three single bonds between carbons, however, resonance means that each of these only has partial double bond character, and is therefore longer than a pure double bond.
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Which of the letters above point at an atom that is 
hybridized?
Which of the letters above point at an atom that is
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The answer is arrows A and C. The carbon that is pointed to by arrow C is 
hybridized. We see that its bond angles are at 120º (the full substituent points into the page) with a p-orbital that is involved in the pi bond of the carbonyl. Phenyl rings are also made up of carbons that are all 
hybridized. The nitrogen pointed to by arrow B has two electrons that are not shown, but cause the atom to be 
hybridized. The methyl groups denoted by arrow D are also 
hybridized.
We can quickly tell the hybridization of atoms by observing their double bonds and unbonded electrons. As a rule of thumb, any carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen involved in a double bond will be 
hybridized. Any of these atoms with no double bonds will be 
hybridized. Finally, nitrogens or carbons involved in triple bonds are 
hybridized.
The answer is arrows A and C. The carbon that is pointed to by arrow C is
We can quickly tell the hybridization of atoms by observing their double bonds and unbonded electrons. As a rule of thumb, any carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen involved in a double bond will be
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Compound A. 
Compound B.
Compound C.
Compound D.
Which compound(s) shown above is(are) aromatic?
Compound A.
Compound B.
Compound C.
Compound D.
Which compound(s) shown above is(are) aromatic?
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For a compound to be considered aromatic, it must be flat, cyclic, and conjugated and it must obey Huckel's rule. Huckel's rule states that an aromatic compound must have 
pi electrons in the overlapping p orbitals in order to be aromatic (n in this formula represents any integer). Only compounds with 2, 6, 10, 14, . . . pi electrons can be considered aromatic. Compound A has 6 pi electrons, compound B has 4, and compound C has 8. This eliminates answers B and C. Answer D is not cyclic, and therefore cannot be aromatic. The only aromatic compound is answer choice A, which you should recognize as benzene.
For a compound to be considered aromatic, it must be flat, cyclic, and conjugated and it must obey Huckel's rule. Huckel's rule states that an aromatic compound must have
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One component of the immune system is the neutrophil, a professional phagocyte that consumes invading cells. The neutrophil is ferried to the site of infection via the blood as pre-neutrophils, or monocytes, ready to differentiate as needed to defend their host.
In order to leave the blood and migrate to the tissues, where infection is active, the monocyte undergoes a process called diapedesis. Diapedesis is a process of extravasation, where the monocyte leaves the circulation by moving in between endothelial cells, enters the tissue, and matures into a neutrophil.
Diapedesis is mediated by a class of proteins called selectins, present on the monocyte membrane and the endothelium. These selectins interact, attract the monocyte to the endothelium, and allow the monocytes to roll along the endothelium until they are able to complete diapedesis by leaving the vasculature and entering the tissues.
The image below shows monocytes moving in the blood vessel, "rolling" along the vessel wall, and eventually leaving the vessel to migrate to the site of infection.
Neutrophils make use of radical species to digest phagocytosed material. Which of the following is true of radical reactions?
One component of the immune system is the neutrophil, a professional phagocyte that consumes invading cells. The neutrophil is ferried to the site of infection via the blood as pre-neutrophils, or monocytes, ready to differentiate as needed to defend their host.
In order to leave the blood and migrate to the tissues, where infection is active, the monocyte undergoes a process called diapedesis. Diapedesis is a process of extravasation, where the monocyte leaves the circulation by moving in between endothelial cells, enters the tissue, and matures into a neutrophil.
Diapedesis is mediated by a class of proteins called selectins, present on the monocyte membrane and the endothelium. These selectins interact, attract the monocyte to the endothelium, and allow the monocytes to roll along the endothelium until they are able to complete diapedesis by leaving the vasculature and entering the tissues.
The image below shows monocytes moving in the blood vessel, "rolling" along the vessel wall, and eventually leaving the vessel to migrate to the site of infection.
Neutrophils make use of radical species to digest phagocytosed material. Which of the following is true of radical reactions?
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Radical reactions have an sp2, trigonal planer carbon radical intermediate. Carbon radicals are most stable as tertiary species.
Radical reactions have an sp2, trigonal planer carbon radical intermediate. Carbon radicals are most stable as tertiary species.
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2-butyne contains all of the following types of bonds except .
2-butyne contains all of the following types of bonds except .
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2-butyne has the following chemical structure.
The end carbons have 
hybridization (form single bonds only), while the middle two carbons have 
hybridization (involved in a triple bond). There are no 
hybridized carbons in this molecule.
2-butyne has the following chemical structure.
The end carbons have
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The degree of unsaturation for ephedrine (shown below) is .
The degree of unsaturation for ephedrine (shown below) is .
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The degree of unsaturation is equal to the number of rings plus the number of pi bonds in a molecule. Ephedrine has one ring and three pi bonds, so its degree of unsaturation is four.
To arrive at this answer, one could also use the formula below, where 
is the number of carbon atoms, 
is the number of hydrogen atoms, 
is the number of halogen atoms, and 
is the number of nitrogen atoms.
For ephedrine, 
, 
, 
, and 
.
The degree of unsaturation is equal to the number of rings plus the number of pi bonds in a molecule. Ephedrine has one ring and three pi bonds, so its degree of unsaturation is four.
To arrive at this answer, one could also use the formula below, where
For ephedrine,
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The compound below is reacted with 
. What is the final hybridization around the initially chiral center carbon when the reaction is complete?
The compound below is reacted with
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The initially chiral carbon has an 
hybridization. Once treated with 
,an oxidizing agent, the secondary alcohol in the compound is oxidized to a ketone. The central carbon is no longer a chiral center (a carbon with a double bond cannot be chiral), and the double bond (pi-bond) formed between carbon and oxygen gives the molecule an 
hybridization.
hybridization is formed with triple bonds, and an 
hybridization does not exist.
The initially chiral carbon has an
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Compound A has a molecular formula of 
. After treatment of compound A with hydrogen in the presence of a palladium and a carbon catalyst, a new compound is formed with a molecular formula of 
. How many rings does compound A have?
Compound A has a molecular formula of
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Recall the formula for degrees of unsaturation as the sum of the number of pi bonds and the number of rings. This value is equivalent to the below formula.
C is the number of carbons, H is the number of hydrogens, X is the number of halogens, and N is the number of nitrogens. Using this formula, compound A has four degrees of unsaturation, while the product only has two.
The reaction described is a hydrogenation reaction, which will reduce double bonds. The reaction saturates two pi bonds of compound A, meaning the remaining degrees of unsaturation in that compound have to come from two rings. Essentially, due to the reaction given, we know that the product contains no double bonds but still has two degrees of unsaturation. These unsaturation points must correspond to rings.
Recall the formula for degrees of unsaturation as the sum of the number of pi bonds and the number of rings. This value is equivalent to the below formula.
C is the number of carbons, H is the number of hydrogens, X is the number of halogens, and N is the number of nitrogens. Using this formula, compound A has four degrees of unsaturation, while the product only has two.
The reaction described is a hydrogenation reaction, which will reduce double bonds. The reaction saturates two pi bonds of compound A, meaning the remaining degrees of unsaturation in that compound have to come from two rings. Essentially, due to the reaction given, we know that the product contains no double bonds but still has two degrees of unsaturation. These unsaturation points must correspond to rings.
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How many 
-bonds are in one molecule of acetic acid?
How many
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Acetic acid has the formula 
. This compound is common enough that the IUPAC name will rarely be given, and you will need to recognize it by common name alone.
Whenever two atoms are directly bonded to one another, a 
-bond is formed. Even when there is a double or triple bond between two atoms, there is still one 
-bond between the two atoms. In acetic acid, there are seven bonds between atoms. Even though the carbonyl carbon has a double bond, there is still a 
-bond between the carbon and oxygen. As a result, there are seven total 
-bonds in a molecule of acetic acid.
Acetic acid has the formula
Whenever two atoms are directly bonded to one another, a
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What carbon hybridizations can be found in one molecule of acetic acid?
What carbon hybridizations can be found in one molecule of acetic acid?
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Acetic acid has the formula 
. This compound is common enough that the IUPAC name will rarely be given, and you will need to recognize it by common name alone.
Acetic acid has two carbons in the molecule. The carbonyl carbon is the carbon that is double bonded to oxygen. This double bond gives the carbonyl carbon
hybridization. The other carbon has four atoms attached to it, which gives it 
hybridization. Remember that the hybridization of an atom is dependent on the total number of bonded atoms, plus the number of lone electron pairs.
Acetic acid has the formula
Acetic acid has two carbons in the molecule. The carbonyl carbon is the carbon that is double bonded to oxygen. This double bond gives the carbonyl carbon
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Which of the following statements about the character of a bond is true?
Which of the following statements about the character of a bond is true?
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The character of a hybrid orbital is defined as the extent to which it resembles the unhybridized orbitals that created it. For example, an 
orbital has half "s" character and half "p" character and results from a triple bond. Remember that the more "s" character a bond has, the stronger, shorter, and more stable the bond will be. 
and 
hybridizations result in longer, weaker bonds (double bonds and single bond, respectively) due to increased contributions of "p" character.
The character of a hybrid orbital is defined as the extent to which it resembles the unhybridized orbitals that created it. For example, an
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The concept of genomic imprinting is important in human genetics. In genomic imprinting, a certain region of DNA is only expressed by one of the two chromosomes that make up a typical homologous pair. In healthy individuals, genomic imprinting results in the silencing of genes in a certain section of the maternal chromosome 15. The DNA in this part of the chromosome is "turned off" by the addition of methyl groups to the DNA molecule. Healthy people will thus only have expression of this section of chromosome 15 from paternally-derived DNA.
The two classic human diseases that illustrate defects in genomic imprinting are Prader-Willi and Angelman Syndromes. In Prader-Willi Syndrome, the section of paternal chromosome 15 that is usually expressed is disrupted, such as by a chromosomal deletion. In Angelman Syndrome, maternal genes in this section are deleted, while paternal genes are silenced. Prader-Willi Syndrome is thus closely linked to paternal inheritance, while Angelman Syndrome is linked to maternal inheritance.
Figure 1 shows the chromosome 15 homologous pair for a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome. The parental chromosomes are also shown. The genes on the mother’s chromosomes are silenced normally, as represented by the black boxes. At once, there is also a chromosomal deletion on one of the paternal chromosomes. The result is that the child does not have any genes expressed that are normally found on that region of this chromosome.
The passage indicates that genomic imprinting relies on silencing genes by adding methyl groups to DNA sequences. Which of the following is true of methyl groups?
The concept of genomic imprinting is important in human genetics. In genomic imprinting, a certain region of DNA is only expressed by one of the two chromosomes that make up a typical homologous pair. In healthy individuals, genomic imprinting results in the silencing of genes in a certain section of the maternal chromosome 15. The DNA in this part of the chromosome is "turned off" by the addition of methyl groups to the DNA molecule. Healthy people will thus only have expression of this section of chromosome 15 from paternally-derived DNA.
The two classic human diseases that illustrate defects in genomic imprinting are Prader-Willi and Angelman Syndromes. In Prader-Willi Syndrome, the section of paternal chromosome 15 that is usually expressed is disrupted, such as by a chromosomal deletion. In Angelman Syndrome, maternal genes in this section are deleted, while paternal genes are silenced. Prader-Willi Syndrome is thus closely linked to paternal inheritance, while Angelman Syndrome is linked to maternal inheritance.
Figure 1 shows the chromosome 15 homologous pair for a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome. The parental chromosomes are also shown. The genes on the mother’s chromosomes are silenced normally, as represented by the black boxes. At once, there is also a chromosomal deletion on one of the paternal chromosomes. The result is that the child does not have any genes expressed that are normally found on that region of this chromosome.
The passage indicates that genomic imprinting relies on silencing genes by adding methyl groups to DNA sequences. Which of the following is true of methyl groups?
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Methyl groups are 
substituents, and thus have a central carbon with four single bonds, one of which is a covalent attachment to the DNA substrate: 
. A central carbon with four bonds will be 
hybridized.
Note that methylation is a covalent interaction, making it much more permanent than dipole interactions between DNA and histones. This allows methylation to have long-term effects, and is one of the principles of epigenetic regulation and inheritance.
Methyl groups are
Note that methylation is a covalent interaction, making it much more permanent than dipole interactions between DNA and histones. This allows methylation to have long-term effects, and is one of the principles of epigenetic regulation and inheritance.
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How many bonds are present in this molecule?
How many bonds are present in this molecule?
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The molecule has four single bonds and one double bond.
The first carbon forms two single bonds with the two hydrogen atoms, and a double bond to the second carbon. The second carbon has single bonds with the third hydrogen and the chlorine atom. In total, each carbon has two single bonds and one double bond (to each other), for a total of four single bonds and one double bond.
Each single bond contains one sigma bond and zero pi bonds. Each double bond contains one sigma bond and one pi bond. This molecule has five sigma bonds, and one pi bond.
The molecule has four single bonds and one double bond.
The first carbon forms two single bonds with the two hydrogen atoms, and a double bond to the second carbon. The second carbon has single bonds with the third hydrogen and the chlorine atom. In total, each carbon has two single bonds and one double bond (to each other), for a total of four single bonds and one double bond.
Each single bond contains one sigma bond and zero pi bonds. Each double bond contains one sigma bond and one pi bond. This molecule has five sigma bonds, and one pi bond.
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