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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes transitional fossils in the context of organic chemistry?
A
Molecules that are stable and do not react under normal conditions
B
Molecules that act as intermediates in chemical reactions
C
Fossils that are used to date the age of rocks
D
Fossils that show intermediate states between ancestral forms and their descendants
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the term 'transitional fossils' is not typically used in organic chemistry. It is more relevant to evolutionary biology, where it refers to fossils showing intermediate states between ancestral forms and their descendants.
In the context of organic chemistry, the concept of 'intermediates' is more applicable. Intermediates are molecules that form during the middle steps of a chemical reaction and are not the final product.
Recognize that intermediates are often unstable and highly reactive, existing only transiently during the conversion of reactants to products.
Consider the role of intermediates in reaction mechanisms, where they help explain the step-by-step transformation of reactants into products.
Conclude that in the context of organic chemistry, the best description related to the concept of intermediates is 'Molecules that act as intermediates in chemical reactions.'