17A: Chirality

Question 1

optical isomerism

Answer 1

form of steroisomerism
occurs in molecules where a C atom has 4 different groups attached to it
amino acids are optically active as they have a chiral centre

Question 2

enantiomers

Answer 2

the two isomers
non super imposable
enantiomers are named L-____ and D-_____
cannot tell which is which by lookinh at strctures of molecules

Question 3

polarimetry

Answer 3

molecules that show optical isomeirsm (enantiomers) have the ability to rotate plane polarised light (optically active)
D isomer rotates clockwise
L isomer rotates anti clockwise
solutions of d and l isomers of the same conc rotate light by equal and opposite amounts

Question 4

racemic mixture

Answer 4

an equimolar misxture of enantiomers - has no overall effect on rotation as they cancel each other out

Question 5

L-isomers

Answer 5

all amino acids that are used in cells