Which of the following is a characteristic of the given compound?   a)  It is soluble in water.   b)  It has a pKa of about 10.   c)  It readily reacts with NaOH to form a sodium salt.   d)  All of these are characteristics of the compound.

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Chapter22: Organic And Biological Molecules
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Problem 11RQ
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Consider the following model. Elements other than hydrogen and carbon are labeled.

 

 

Which of the following is a characteristic of the given compound?

 

a) 

It is soluble in water.
 

b) 

It has a pKa of about 10.
 

c) 

It readily reacts with NaOH to form a sodium salt.
 

d) 

All of these are characteristics of the compound.
**Molecular Structure of Lactic Acid**

The image depicts a three-dimensional molecular model of lactic acid, an important compound in biochemistry known as 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. 

**Structural Breakdown:**

- **Atoms Identification:**
  - **Carbon Atoms (Black Spheres):** Represent the carbon atoms in the molecule.
  - **Oxygen Atoms (Red Spheres):** Represent the oxygen atoms.
  - **Hydrogen Atoms (White Spheres):** Represent the hydrogen atoms.

- **Bond Representation:**
  - **Single Bonds:** Shown as single lines between atoms, indicating a single covalent bond (e.g., C-H bonds).
  - **Double Bond:** Shown as two parallel lines between carbon and oxygen atoms, indicating a double covalent bond (e.g., the C=O bond).

**Lactic Acid Structure Explanation:**

1. **Carbon Backbone:**
   - The lactic acid molecule comprises three carbon atoms. Two of these carbon atoms are singly bonded to each other, and the third carbon is bonded to an oxygen atom through a double bond.

2. **Functional Groups:**
   - **Hydroxyl Group (-OH):** Attached to the second carbon atom, the presence of this group classifies lactic acid as an alpha-hydroxy acid.
   - **Carboxyl Group (-COOH):** Present at the end of the molecule, attached to one of the carbon atoms. This group features a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group.

3. **Hydrogen Atoms:**
   - Attached to carbon atoms to satisfy the valency requirements of carbon (which forms four bonds).

This structural representation is important for understanding the chemical properties and behavior of lactic acid in various biochemical processes.
Transcribed Image Text:**Molecular Structure of Lactic Acid** The image depicts a three-dimensional molecular model of lactic acid, an important compound in biochemistry known as 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. **Structural Breakdown:** - **Atoms Identification:** - **Carbon Atoms (Black Spheres):** Represent the carbon atoms in the molecule. - **Oxygen Atoms (Red Spheres):** Represent the oxygen atoms. - **Hydrogen Atoms (White Spheres):** Represent the hydrogen atoms. - **Bond Representation:** - **Single Bonds:** Shown as single lines between atoms, indicating a single covalent bond (e.g., C-H bonds). - **Double Bond:** Shown as two parallel lines between carbon and oxygen atoms, indicating a double covalent bond (e.g., the C=O bond). **Lactic Acid Structure Explanation:** 1. **Carbon Backbone:** - The lactic acid molecule comprises three carbon atoms. Two of these carbon atoms are singly bonded to each other, and the third carbon is bonded to an oxygen atom through a double bond. 2. **Functional Groups:** - **Hydroxyl Group (-OH):** Attached to the second carbon atom, the presence of this group classifies lactic acid as an alpha-hydroxy acid. - **Carboxyl Group (-COOH):** Present at the end of the molecule, attached to one of the carbon atoms. This group features a carbon double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group. 3. **Hydrogen Atoms:** - Attached to carbon atoms to satisfy the valency requirements of carbon (which forms four bonds). This structural representation is important for understanding the chemical properties and behavior of lactic acid in various biochemical processes.
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