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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best explains why chirality is important in organic molecules?
A
Chirality influences the biological activity of molecules.
B
Chirality determines the solubility of a compound in water.
C
Chirality is responsible for the color of organic compounds.
D
Chirality affects the boiling point of a compound.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of chirality: Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule having a non-superimposable mirror image, much like left and right hands. This is crucial in organic chemistry because it can affect how molecules interact with biological systems.
Explore the role of chirality in biological activity: Many biological molecules, such as enzymes and receptors, are chiral. This means that they can distinguish between different enantiomers (chiral molecules that are mirror images of each other), leading to different biological effects.
Consider the impact of chirality on solubility: While chirality can influence interactions with solvents, it is not the primary factor determining solubility in water. Solubility is more influenced by the overall polarity and functional groups present in the molecule.
Evaluate chirality's effect on color: The color of organic compounds is generally related to the presence of conjugated systems and specific functional groups, rather than chirality itself.
Assess chirality's influence on boiling point: Boiling point is primarily affected by intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and dipole interactions, rather than chirality.