Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Biochemistry, Exercise 9: Questions

Explain the meaning of the term “biomagnification”.

Biomagnification of pollutants is a major environmental concern. An average Far Eastern brown bear has a body mass of $600 \mathrm{kg}$ and consumes $10 \mathrm{kg}$ of fish per day. Calculate the concentration of chlorinated organic pollutants in the bear’s body if their concentration in the fish is $2 \times {10}^6 \%$ and the pollutants remain the bear’s body for $5$ years.

The use of DDT reduces the occurrence of malaria and saves the lives of people in developing countries but at the same time has a serious environmental impact worldwide. Discuss how this conflict between the rights of individuals to protect their health and the right of the global society to protect the environment can be resolved.

The extraction and processing of crude oil is essential for the global economy but can have a serious environmental impact. Discuss the role of biochemistry in hydrocarbon waste management and the remediation of accidental oil spills.

Describe the bonding between the components of host–guest supramolecules.

Atom economy is one of the key aspects of green chemistry. Define “atom economy”.

Calculate the atom economy of the following reaction:

$4{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH} + 2\mathrm{CO} + {\mathrm{O}}_2 \to 2{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{O}\right)}_2\mathrm{CO} + 2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

In green chemistry, the use of dangerous materials is generally avoided. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using ethanoic acid instead of sulphuric acid as a neutralizing agent for treating alkaline waste.​​​​​​​$\mathrm{}$