ACT Science : How to find research summary in chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #901 : Act Science

The above chemical equation describes the dissociation of carbonic acid  into bicarbonate  and hydrogen ion . A chemistry student wants to study the behavior of carbonic acid, as it is a part of one of the most important physiological control systems in the human body.

When carbon dioxide  enters the blood in your body, it takes on the form of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is in what we call "equilibrium" with bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion. This equilibrium functions in the following manner: if more carbonic acid is present, more will dissociate into bicarbonate and hydrogen ion. On the other hand, if there is more bicarbonate and/or hydrogen ion, we say that equilibrium as shown in the above equation will "shift left" and more carbonic acid will be produced from bicarbonate and hydrogen.

To study this effect, the student obtains a mixture of carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and hydrogen ion. Next, the student conducts trials in which she adds a certain amount of one of the chemicals one at a time and then measures how the concentrations of each chemical change after each addition.

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration and is used to measure acidity. A pH of 7 is neutral, while a low pH corresponds to a high concentration of hydrogen ions, or an acid. What can we infer would happen to the pH of a person's blood if a large amount of carbon dioxide were to be produced in that person's body, such as during exercise?

Possible Answers:

The person's blood pH would not change.

The person's blood pH would increase and then decrease.

The person's blood pH would decrease and then increase.

The person's blood pH would decrease.

The person's blood pH would increase.

Correct answer:

The person's blood pH would decrease.

Explanation:

The correct answer is that this person's blood pH would decrease. With more carbon dioxide in the blood, as the passage states, more carbonic acid would be present. Therefore, according to the passage's description of equilibrium, equilibrium would shift right and produce more bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. This would increase the concentration of hydrogen and therefore lower the pH.

Example Question #212 : Chemistry

The above chemical equation describes the dissociation of carbonic acid  into bicarbonate  and hydrogen ion . A chemistry student wants to study the behavior of carbonic acid, as it is a part of one of the most important physiological control systems in the human body.

When carbon dioxide  enters the blood in your body, it takes on the form of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is in what we call "equilibrium" with bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion. This equilibrium functions in the following manner: if more carbonic acid is present, more will dissociate into bicarbonate and hydrogen ion. On the other hand, if there is more bicarbonate and/or hydrogen ion, we say that equilibrium as shown in the above equation will "shift left" and more carbonic acid will be produced from bicarbonate and hydrogen.

To study this effect, the student obtains a mixture of carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and hydrogen ion. Next, the student conducts trials in which she adds a certain amount of one of the chemicals one at a time and then measures how the concentrations of each chemical change after each addition.

What can we infer would happen to one of the student's trials if the student added both bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion to that trial?

Possible Answers:

The reaction's equilibrium would shift farther to the left than if the student had only added one of the reactants.

The reaction's equilibrium would shift slightly to the left.

The reaction's equilibrium would shift farther to the right than if the student had only added one of the reactants.

The reaction's equilibrium would shift slightly to the right.

The reaction's equilibrium would remain constant.

Correct answer:

The reaction's equilibrium would shift farther to the left than if the student had only added one of the reactants.

Explanation:

If the student adds either bicarbonate ion or hydrogen ion, we know that the equation's equilibrium will shift to the left. So, it is reasonable to assume that if the student adds both bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion to the trial, the reaction will shift farther to the left than if the student had only added one of the reactants.

Example Question #213 : Chemistry

Enzymes (large molecules) serve to catalyze, or speed up, chemical reactions in the human body. This process of catalysis begins with the binding of a substrate (the reactant) to the active site of an enzyme. This active site is simply the portion of the enzyme that interacts with the substrate. Following the binding event, products separate from the enzyme active site, at which point the enzyme is prepared to undergo another reaction cycle. Two scientists offer conflicting views on the nature of the enzyme-substrate interaction.

 

Scientist 1

The enzyme-substrate interaction can be modeled with a Lock and Key paradigm. In this model, the enzyme represents a lock and the substrate represents a key. Only the substrate of proper size and shape will fit into a particular enzyme's active site and catalyze the reaction. The enzyme-substrate complex, the intermediate of this reaction, is stabilized mostly by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds. Following the formation of this intermediate, the enzyme changes the substrate in some way, leading to formation of a product, which subsequently dissociates from the enzyme.

 

Scientist 2

The shapes of substrate and enzyme are not exactly complementary. When it binds to the enzyme, the substrate induces the active site to alter its shape in order to enhance the fit. Thus, at first the interaction between substrate and enzyme is weak, but subsequent changes in the active site lead to stronger binding. Only the correct substrate will be able to modify the active site in the proper manner. Experimental data seems consistent with this Induced Fit model and inconsistent with the Lock and Key model.

In the following sequences, hyphens denote bound complexes and plus signs indicate separate species. Which of the sequences is consistent with the viewpoint of Scientist 1?

Possible Answers:

Enzyme+Substrate, Enzyme-Substrate, Enzyme+Product

Enzyme+Substrate, Enzyme-Substrate, Enzyme-Product, Enzyme+Product

Enzyme+Substrate, Enzyme+Product

Enzyme+Substrate, Enzyme-Product, Enzyme+Product

Correct answer:

Enzyme+Substrate, Enzyme-Substrate, Enzyme-Product, Enzyme+Product

Explanation:

Scientist 1 explains that the substrate first binds to the enzyme to form an intermediate (the enzyme-substrate complex). While it is still bound to the enzyme, the substrate is then converted to product. Finally, the product dissociates from the enzyme.

Example Question #221 : Chemistry

Enzymes (large molecules) serve to catalyze, or speed up, chemical reactions in the human body. This process of catalysis begins with the binding of a substrate (the reactant) to the active site of an enzyme. This active site is simply the portion of the enzyme that interacts with the substrate. Following the binding event, products separate from the enzyme active site, at which point the enzyme is prepared to undergo another reaction cycle. Two scientists offer conflicting views on the nature of the enzyme-substrate interaction.

 

Scientist 1

The enzyme-substrate interaction can be modeled with a Lock and Key paradigm. In this model, the enzyme represents a lock and the substrate represents a key. Only the substrate of proper size and shape will fit into a particular enzyme's active site and catalyze the reaction. The enzyme-substrate complex, the intermediate of this reaction, is stabilized mostly by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds. Following the formation of this intermediate, the enzyme changes the substrate in some way, leading to formation of a product, which subsequently dissociates from the enzyme.

 

Scientist 2

The shapes of substrate and enzyme are not exactly complementary. When it binds to the enzyme, the substrate induces the active site to alter its shape in order to enhance the fit. Thus, at first the interaction between substrate and enzyme is weak, but subsequent changes in the active site lead to stronger binding. Only the correct substrate will be able to modify the active site in the proper manner. Experimental data seems consistent with this Induced Fit model and inconsistent with the Lock and Key model.

For a certain enzyme that is also a protein, it is observed that the amino acids (building blocks of a protein) near the active site move immediately after the substrate binds. Is this observation consistent with the viewpoint of Scientist 1?

Possible Answers:

Yes, because Scientist 1 would say that amino acids near the active site should move upon binding of substrate.

No, because Scientist 1 would say that amino acids near the active site should not move upon binding of substrate.

No, because Scientist 1 would say that amino acids near the active site should move upon binding of substrate.

Yes, because Scientist 1 would say that amino acids near the active site should not move upon binding of substrate.

Correct answer:

No, because Scientist 1 would say that amino acids near the active site should not move upon binding of substrate.

Explanation:

The observation that the active site changes shape upon substrate binding is consistent with the Induced Fit model. Therefore, this observation is not consistent with the viewpoint of Scientist 1.

Example Question #222 : Chemistry

Enzymes (large molecules) serve to catalyze, or speed up, chemical reactions in the human body. This process of catalysis begins with the binding of a substrate (the reactant) to the active site of an enzyme. This active site is simply the portion of the enzyme that interacts with the substrate. Following the binding event, products separate from the enzyme active site, at which point the enzyme is prepared to undergo another reaction cycle. Two scientists offer conflicting views on the nature of the enzyme-substrate interaction.

 

Scientist 1

The enzyme-substrate interaction can be modeled with a Lock and Key paradigm. In this model, the enzyme represents a lock and the substrate represents a key. Only the substrate of proper size and shape will fit into a particular enzyme's active site and catalyze the reaction. The enzyme-substrate complex, the intermediate of this reaction, is stabilized mostly by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds. Following the formation of this intermediate, the enzyme changes the substrate in some way, leading to formation of a product, which subsequently dissociates from the enzyme.

 

Scientist 2

The shapes of substrate and enzyme are not exactly complementary. When it binds to the enzyme, the substrate induces the active site to alter its shape in order to enhance the fit. Thus, at first the interaction between substrate and enzyme is weak, but subsequent changes in the active site lead to stronger binding. Only the correct substrate will be able to modify the active site in the proper manner. Experimental data seems consistent with this Induced Fit model and inconsistent with the Lock and Key model.

With which of the following statements would both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 most likely agree?

Possible Answers:

Substrates of various shapes can interact with a given enzyme to generate products.

A given enzyme can undergo the same reaction cycle more than once.

The enzyme-substrate complex is not stabilized.

Enzymes are typically small molecules.

Correct answer:

A given enzyme can undergo the same reaction cycle more than once.

Explanation:

In the first paragraph, we are told that the enzyme is prepared to undergo another reaction cycle after product dissociates from it. This is general information about enzymes (not specific to either the Lock and Key model or Induced Fit model). Therefore, both scientists would probably agree with this statement.

Example Question #223 : Chemistry

Enzymes (large molecules) serve to catalyze, or speed up, chemical reactions in the human body. This process of catalysis begins with the binding of a substrate (the reactant) to the active site of an enzyme. This active site is simply the portion of the enzyme that interacts with the substrate. Following the binding event, products separate from the enzyme active site, at which point the enzyme is prepared to undergo another reaction cycle. Two scientists offer conflicting views on the nature of the enzyme-substrate interaction.

 

Scientist 1

The enzyme-substrate interaction can be modeled with a Lock and Key paradigm. In this model, the enzyme represents a lock and the substrate represents a key. Only the substrate of proper size and shape will fit into a particular enzyme's active site and catalyze the reaction. The enzyme-substrate complex, the intermediate of this reaction, is stabilized mostly by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds. Following the formation of this intermediate, the enzyme changes the substrate in some way, leading to formation of a product, which subsequently dissociates from the enzyme.

 

Scientist 2

The shapes of substrate and enzyme are not exactly complementary. When it binds to the enzyme, the substrate induces the active site to alter its shape in order to enhance the fit. Thus, at first the interaction between substrate and enzyme is weak, but subsequent changes in the active site lead to stronger binding. Only the correct substrate will be able to modify the active site in the proper manner. Experimental data seems consistent with this Induced Fit model and inconsistent with the Lock and Key model.

The active site of an enzyme has a volume of about  cubic angstroms ( angstrom equals  meter). Assuming that Scientist 2 is correct, how would the active site change if a substrate of about  cubic angstroms were to bind the enzyme?

Possible Answers:

The active site would not change.

The active site would expand.

The active site would expand and then shrink.

The active site would shrink.

Correct answer:

The active site would shrink.

Explanation:

Scientist 2 believes that the shape of an active site changes to fit the substrate. Thus, if a substrate of known volume binds to an active site of larger volume, the active site must shrink to enhance the fit.

Example Question #901 : Act Science

The electrons of an atom surround the nucleus and reside in atomic orbitals. In transition metals such as iron () and cobalt (), the outermost electrons reside in  orbitals. For a free metal, these  orbitals are equal in energy.  However, as soon as ligands (molecules or ions) bind the metal, the metal  orbitals split in energy (Figure 1).

Screen shot 2015 05 24 at 9.09.43 pm

Scientists perform a number of experiments to determine how various factors affect the magnitude of splitting. They find that the charge on the metal, the metal's position on the periodic table (whether it resides in Period 4, 5, or 6), and the identity of the ligand are all important factors. The scientists' results are summarized in Table 1. Note that a higher value of  indicates larger splitting.

 

Table 1

Screen_shot_2015-05-24_at_9.10.29_pm

Consider Table 1. Which of the following factors differed between Trial 1 and Trial 3?

Possible Answers:

The identity of the compound tested

The number of ligands tested

The position of the metal on the periodic table

The charge on the compound

Correct answer:

The identity of the compound tested

Explanation:

If we compare the two trials (row 1 and row 3 of Table 1), we see that only the identity of the ligand changes. The scientists tested  in trial 1 and  in trial 3. The charge and position of the metal, as well as the number of ligands, remain the same.

Example Question #21 : How To Find Research Summary In Chemistry

The electrons of an atom surround the nucleus and reside in atomic orbitals. In transition metals such as iron () and cobalt (), the outermost electrons reside in  orbitals. For a free metal, these  orbitals are equal in energy.  However, as soon as ligands (molecules or ions) bind the metal, the metal  orbitals split in energy (Figure 1).

Screen shot 2015 05 24 at 9.09.43 pm

Scientists perform a number of experiments to determine how various factors affect the magnitude of splitting. They find that the charge on the metal, the metal's position on the periodic table (whether it resides in Period 4, 5, or 6), and the identity of the ligand are all important factors. The scientists' results are summarized in Table 1. Note that a higher value of  indicates larger splitting.

 

Table 1

Screen_shot_2015-05-24_at_9.10.29_pm

Which compounds illustrate the relationship between position of a metal on the periodic table and splitting magnitude?

Possible Answers:

, and 

, and 

 and 

 and 

Correct answer:

, and 

Explanation:

, and  all possess the same charge on the metal and the same ligand. The only difference is the identity of the metal ( lies in Period 4,  in Period 5, and  in Period 6). The data pertaining to these three compounds show that as the period of the metal increases, splitting magnitude tends to increase as well.

Example Question #226 : Chemistry

The electrons of an atom surround the nucleus and reside in atomic orbitals. In transition metals such as iron () and cobalt (), the outermost electrons reside in  orbitals. For a free metal, these  orbitals are equal in energy.  However, as soon as ligands (molecules or ions) bind the metal, the metal  orbitals split in energy (Figure 1).

Screen shot 2015 05 24 at 9.09.43 pm

Scientists perform a number of experiments to determine how various factors affect the magnitude of splitting. They find that the charge on the metal, the metal's position on the periodic table (whether it resides in Period 4, 5, or 6), and the identity of the ligand are all important factors. The scientists' results are summarized in Table 1. Note that a higher value of  indicates larger splitting.

 

Table 1

Screen_shot_2015-05-24_at_9.10.29_pm

The coordination number of a compound refers to the number of ligands attached to the central metal atom (All compounds listed in Table 1 have coordination number of 6). Given that a lower coordination number tends to result in a smaller splitting magnitude, which of the following could be the splitting magnitude of , which has a coordination number of 4 and a charge of +2? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is identical to , except that the former has a coordination number of 4 whereas the latter has coordination number of 6. We can see from Table 1 that  has splitting magnitude of , so the splitting magnitude of  must be smaller than this.

Example Question #227 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

What might make it difficult for Kevin to draw a conclusion about the plants?

Possible Answers:

The use of two variables

The inconsistent days of data collection

The unscientific description of the tomatoes

All of these answers

Correct answer:

All of these answers

Explanation:

Kevin has more than one variable (fertilizer and compost), as well as not collecting data every day and not being scientific in describing his results all make the experiment weaker.

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