Electromagnetic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Most wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere; however, there are two "windows" of nonabsorption through which significant amounts of radiation reach the ground. The first transmits ultraviolet and visible light, as well as infrared light or heat; the second transmits radio waves. As a result, terrestrial organisms have evolved a number of pigments that interact with light in various ways: some capture light energy, some provide protection from light-induced damage, and some serve camouflage or signaling purposes.Among these compounds are many conjugated polyenes, which play important roles as photoreceptors. For every chemical compound, there are certain wavelengths of light whose quanta possess exactly the correct amount of energy to raise electrons from their ground state to higher-energy orbitals. For most organic compounds, these wavelengths are in the UV range. However, conjugated double bond systems stabilize the electrons, so that they can be excited by lower-frequency photons with wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Such a pigment, known as a chromophore, will then transmit the "subtraction color," a color complementary to the one absorbed. For instance, carotene, a hydrocarbon compound with eleven conjugated double bonds, absorbs blue light and transmits orange. The wavelength that is absorbed generally increases with the number of conjugated bonds; rings and side-chains also affect wavelength.Among the many biological molecules that are affected by light is DNA, the genetic material of living organisms. DNA absorbs ultraviolet light, and may be damaged by UVC (< 280 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm). UVA (315-400 nm) and visible light can actually repair light-induced damage to DNA by a process called photorepair. For this reason, UVA, which also stimulates tanning, was once considered beneficial. However, there is now increasing evidence that UVA can damage skin.Why is benzene colorless?
Answer(s): A
The greater the number of conjugated bonds in a molecule, the more strongly electrons in excited states will be stabilized. Thus the more conjugated a molecule, the lower the frequency and the longer the wavelength that will excite it. Benzene, with only three double bonds, requires absorption of quite high energy light, higher than for the colored compounds discussed in the passage. In fact, the light required to excite benzene electrons is in the ultraviolet range, so no color is produced when benzene absorbs light, and benzene is colorless.
Electromagnetic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Most wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere; however, there are two "windows" of nonabsorption through which significant amounts of radiation reach the ground. The first transmits ultraviolet and visible light, as well as infrared light or heat; the second transmits radio waves. As a result, terrestrial organisms have evolved a number of pigments that interact with light in various ways: some capture light energy, some provide protection from light-induced damage, and some serve camouflage or signaling purposes.Among these compounds are many conjugated polyenes, which play important roles as photoreceptors. For every chemical compound, there are certain wavelengths of light whose quanta possess exactly the correct amount of energy to raise electrons from their ground state to higher-energy orbitals. For most organic compounds, these wavelengths are in the UV range. However, conjugated double bond systems stabilize the electrons, so that they can be excited by lower-frequency photons with wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Such a pigment, known as a chromophore, will then transmit the "subtraction color," a color complementary to the one absorbed. For instance, carotene, a hydrocarbon compound with eleven conjugated double bonds, absorbs blue light and transmits orange. The wavelength that is absorbed generally increases with the number of conjugated bonds; rings and side-chains also affect wavelength. Among the many biological molecules that are affected by light is DNA, the genetic material of living organisms. DNA absorbs ultraviolet light, and may be damaged by UVC (< 280 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm). UVA (315-400 nm) and visible light can actually repair light-induced damage to DNA by a process called photorepair. For this reason, UVA, which also stimulates tanning, was once considered beneficial. However, there is now increasing evidence that UVA can damage skin.Many crustaceans produce a blue or green caroteneprotein complex. What is the most likely cause of the color change from green to orange when a lobster is boiled?
Answer(s): C
The green color comes from absorption of light by the entire carotene-protein complex; as you know from the passage, the carotene by itself is orange. The fact that boiled lobsters are red and not orange is due to other pigments that are also present. Anyway, when a lobster is cooked, the heat disrupts the intermolecular attractions that attach the carotene molecule, the protein's prosthetic group, to the protein itself. This change in the molecule causes the wavelength of light absorbed to change as well. As a matter of fact, it reduces the number of conjugated double bonds and therefore shortens the wavelength of light absorbed. The red color of the cooked lobster is the transmission color of the isolated carotenoid, with the conjugated bonds from the protein removed. Choices A and D are wrong because if carotene were hydrated or oxidized, it would break the chain of conjugation completely and produce a colorless compound. An increase in temperature, choice B, is only a physical change and won't change the absorption wavelength.
Electromagnetic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Most wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere; however, there are two "windows" of nonabsorption through which significant amounts of radiation reach the ground. The first transmits ultraviolet and visible light, as well as infrared light or heat; the second transmits radio waves. As a result, terrestrial organisms have evolved a number of pigments that interact with light in various ways: some capture light energy, some provide protection from light-induced damage, and some serve camouflage or signaling purposes.Among these compounds are many conjugated polyenes, which play important roles as photoreceptors. For every chemical compound, there are certain wavelengths of light whose quanta possess exactly the correct amount of energy to raise electrons from their ground state to higher-energy orbitals. For most organic compounds, these wavelengths are in the UV range. However, conjugated double bond systems stabilize the electrons, so that they can be excited by lower-frequency photons with wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Such a pigment, known as a chromophore, will then transmit the "subtraction color," a color complementary to the one absorbed. For instance, carotene, a hydrocarbon compound with eleven conjugated double bonds, absorbs blue light and transmits orange. The wavelength that is absorbed generally increases with the number of conjugated bonds; rings and side-chains also affect wavelength. Among the many biological molecules that are affected by light is DNA, the genetic material of living organisms. DNA absorbs ultraviolet light, and may be damaged by UVC (< 280 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm). UVA (315-400 nm) and visible light can actually repair light-induced damage to DNA by a process called photorepair. For this reason, UVA, which also stimulates tanning, was once considered beneficial. However, there is now increasing evidence that UVA can damage skin.The four compounds represented by the electronic spectra below were evaluated as potential sunscreens. What is the correct sequence of sunscreen strength, from strongest to weakest, among these four?
Answer(s): D
Substance IV would make the best sunscreen because it absorbs over a broad spectrum, including all three types of ultraviolet light. By the way, the absorption spectrum of melanin, the pigment which protects human skin from sunlight, is similar to this. The next best choice is I, which absorbs UVB and UVC, the most dangerous wavelengths of ultraviolet light. Choice II absorbs UVA, so it would prevent tanning but would let through the dangerous UVB and UVC, and therefore allow burning. Choice III would be of little value, since it absorbs almost exclusively in the visible range (greater than 400 nm).
Electromagnetic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Most wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere; however, there are two "windows" of nonabsorption through which significant amounts of radiation reach the ground. The first transmits ultraviolet and visible light, as well as infrared light or heat; the second transmits radio waves. As a result, terrestrial organisms have evolved a number of pigments that interact with light in various ways: some capture light energy, some provide protection from light-induced damage, and some serve camouflage or signaling purposes.Among these compounds are many conjugated polyenes, which play important roles as photoreceptors. For every chemical compound, there are certain wavelengths of light whose quanta possess exactly the correct amount of energy to raise electrons from their ground state to higher-energy orbitals. For most organic compounds, these wavelengths are in the UV range. However, conjugated double bond systems stabilize the electrons, so that they can be excited by lower-frequency photons with wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Such a pigment, known as a chromophore, will then transmit the "subtraction color," a color complementary to the one absorbed. For instance, carotene, a hydrocarbon compound with eleven conjugated double bonds, absorbs blue light and transmits orange. The wavelength that is absorbed generally increases with the number of conjugated bonds; rings and side-chains also affect wavelength.Among the many biological molecules that are affected by light is DNA, the genetic material of living organisms. DNA absorbs ultraviolet light, and may be damaged by UVC (< 280 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm). UVA (315-400 nm) and visible light can actually repair light-induced damage to DNA by a process called photorepair. For this reason, UVA, which also stimulates tanning, was once considered beneficial. However, there is now increasing evidence that UVA can damage skin.Which of the following compounds would be most likely to produce color?
This molecule, which is called dopamine quinone, has four conjugated bonds and produces a brownish color.Choice B has a larger number of double bonds, but they are not conjugated, so its absorbance wavelength is below the visible range. Choice A has too few double bonds to produce color, and although choice D has six double bonds, they are conjugated in two sets of three, not one set of six, and it's also less likely to be colored.
Electromagnetic radiation from space constantly bombards the earth. Most wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere; however, there are two "windows" of nonabsorption through which significant amounts of radiation reach the ground. The first transmits ultraviolet and visible light, as well as infrared light or heat; the second transmits radio waves. As a result, terrestrial organisms have evolved a number of pigments that interact with light in various ways: some capture light energy, some provide protection from light-induced damage, and some serve camouflage or signaling purposes. Among these compounds are many conjugated polyenes, which play important roles as photoreceptors. For every chemical compound, there are certain wavelengths of light whose quanta possess exactly the correct amount of energy to raise electrons from their ground state to higher-energy orbitals. For most organic compounds, these wavelengths are in the UV range. However, conjugated double bond systems stabilize the electrons, so that they can be excited by lower-frequency photons with wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Such a pigment, known as a chromophore, will then transmit the "subtraction color," a color complementary to the one absorbed. For instance, carotene, a hydrocarbon compound with eleven conjugated double bonds, absorbs blue light and transmits orange. The wavelength that is absorbed generally increases with the number of conjugated bonds; rings and side-chains also affect wavelength.Among the many biological molecules that are affected by light is DNA, the genetic material of living organisms. DNA absorbs ultraviolet light, and may be damaged by UVC (< 280 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm). UVA (315-400 nm) and visible light can actually repair light-induced damage to DNA by a process called photorepair. For this reason, UVA, which also stimulates tanning, was once considered beneficial. However, there is now increasing evidence that UVA can damage skin.The color-producing quality of conjugated polyenes is attributable to:
Answer(s): B
As we mentioned earlier, resonance is responsible for reducing the frequency of light needed to excite an electron that is, raise it to a higher-energy, antibonding orbital. Choice A is wrong because almost any molecule can absorb light and have an electron raised to an antibonding orbital. This process does not normally produce color because the frequency of light involved is usually outside the visible range. Resonance reduces the amount of energy needed, bringing the frequency into the visible spectrum. Optical activity, choice D, is the property of being able to rotate plane-polarized light; this doesn't have anything to do with color. Polarity, choice C, also has nothing to do with color. Therefore, both of these are wrong. The correct answer is B.
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