9.
EVOLUTION CONNECTION • DRAW IT Some scientists think that life elsewhere in the
universe might be based on the element silicon, rather than on carbon, as on Earth. Look
at the electron distribution diagram for silicon in Figure 2.7 and draw the Lewis dot
structure for silicon. What properties does silicon share with carbon that would make
silicon-based life more likely than, say, neon-based life or aluminum-based life?
Answer: Both Carbon and Silicon are from the same group on the periodic table, therefore many
reactions usually end up having the same result. Furthermore Carbon and Silicon both have 4
valence electrons. Both of them can bond to various other atoms, including O, H, and N. They
both can bond to themselves. Basically they have really similar properties hence, there is a high
probability that there exists another world with silicon based life forms. However, Aluminum and
neon cannot form life. First of all neon is a nobel element, they are not very reactive and can’t
bond with anything, since they have full valence electrons. Aluminum doesn’t have enough
valence electrons to share, and can’t form bonds with multiple elements. (Lewis - Dot
diagram attached separately)
10. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Fifty years ago, pregnant women who were prescribed
thalidomide for morning sickness gave birth to children with birth defects. Thalidomide is
a mixture of two enantiomers; one reduces morning sickness, but the other causes
severe birth defects. Today, the FDA has approved this drug for non-pregnant individuals
with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) or newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, a blood and bone
marrow cancer. The beneficial enantiomer can be synthesized and given to patients, but
over time, both the beneficial and the harmful enantiomer can be detected in the body.
Propose a possible explanation for the presence of the harmful enantiomer.
Answer: I think there is a slight chance that the asymmetric carbon of the beneficial enantiomer
might change when it interacts with the other chemicals in the human body. As it changes to a
different structure, it might not retain all the properties of the beneficial enantiomer. It can even
have its own properties that may be harmful.
11. WRITE ABOUT A THEME: ORGANIZATION In 1918, an epidemic of sleeping sickness
caused an unusual rigid paralysis in some survivors, similar to symptoms of advanced
Parkinson’s disease. Years later, L-dopa (below, left), a chemical used to treat
Parkinson’s disease, was given to some of these patients. L-dopa was remarkably
effective at eliminating the paralysis, at least temporarily. However, its enantiomer,
D-dopa (right), was subsequently shown to have no effect at all, as is the case for
Parkinson’s disease. In a short essay (100–150 words), discuss how the effectiveness of
one enantiomer and not the other illustrates the theme of structure and function.
Answer: We already know that L-dopa and D-dopa are isomers of each other, more specifically
they are enantiomers. Which basically means they are opposite mirrors of each other and differ
only in their asymmetry of carbon atoms. The effectiveness of one enantiomer and not the other
illustrates that although they might have the same formula, their structure may vary. Because of
their difference in structure they might not be able to undergo the same chemical reaction or
bonding. Hence, L-Dopa was effective because its structure allowed it to bond with certain
chemicals and decrease the effect of parkinson’s disease. On the other hand D-dopa might not
be able to do the same thing as L-dopa because of their difference in carbon asymmetry and
structure, rendering it useless in this application.
12. SYNTHESIZE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Explain how the chemical structure of the carbon
atom accounts for the differences between the male and female lions seen in the photo.
Answer: Both the female and male lions have different sex hormones. Both are steroids,
organic molecules with a common carbon skeleton in the form of four fused rings. They differ
only in the chemical groups attached to the rings. The different actions of these two molecules
on many targets throughout the body are the basis of sexual characteristics, producing the
contrasting features of male and female vertebrates. For instance, male with more testosterone
have more hair follicles in their head than females. On the other hand, females are able to
produce milk to feed her cubs because of estrogen.
