Web Activities
UNIT 1: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Chapter 2: Polymers–Plastics, Nylons, and Food
Section 2.1 questions
p. 107
Question 11
Natural rubber is made from resin produced by the rubber tree,
Hevea brasiliensis. Research the commercial production and use of natural
rubber, and the circumstances that stimulated the development of synthetic
rubber. Write a brief report on your findings.
The
History of Natural Rubber
This page is sponsored by the International Rubber Research Board. It
provides a fascinating history of rubber--starting from Columbus bringing
it to Europe from the West Indies.
A
Brief History of Rubber
From the Rubber Association of Canada, this site provides in chart-form
a timeline of major events relating to rubber and its past uses.
Charles
Goodyear and the Strange Story of Rubber
Read about Charles Goodyear, the man credited with discovering the vulcanization
of rubber.
Section 2.3 questions
p. 116
Question 2
Research and provide examples of the use of organic chemistry
to improve technical solutions in the medical field. Write a report
on one of the examples you found. Include in your report a description
of the problem to be solved, existing technical solutions, and the role
of organic chemistry in the improved solution. A few examples are provided
as a starting point for your research.
- Drug delivery systems, e.g., nicotine patches, estrogen
patches, gel capsules for timed release
- Artificial flexible joints
- Medical textiles, e.g., adhesives
- Medical equipment, e.g., materials for angioplasty
- Polymers as UV blockers
The
Technology Behind Drug Patches
This website is found in the pages of The Chemical Institute of Canada.
It briefly discusses the mechanism of transdermal drug-delivery, and
explains how it is used in drug patches. It also introduces a company,
Pharma Patch, that is based in Toronto--the company studies and develops
these devices.
Sulfamate
Technology
Jenapharm is the German company that maintains this website. The site
briefly discusses the use of estrogen sulfamates as estrogen-therapy,
since these drugs eventually become estrogen in the body. It includes
a helpful schematic diagram showing the drug's path through the body.
UV
Absorption and Stabilizers
EPEA is a scientific consultancy that espouses "Eco-effectiveness."
This website lists the various auxiliary services that the company provides,
including "UV absorption and stabilizers."
Puncture-Resistant
Angioplasty Balloons Developed
Medical DeviceLink is a collection of websites devoted to the medical
device industry. This specific site discusses a recent development by
the company, Advanced Polymers Inc., who have developed puncture-resistant
high-pressure angioplasty balloons by using a polymer coating.
What
are Biomedical Textiles
This website is maintained by the Biomedical Textiles Research Centre
of the Heriot Watt University in Scotland. It provides a brief introduction
to biomedical textiles, focusing on practical matters such as their
function, cost, and application.
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: Will That Be “Regular”
or “Diet”?
p. 121
Effects of Aspartame.
a. Research some of these studies, writing brief summaries
of the arguments for and against the use of aspartame or another food
substitute or additive (e.g., artificial flavour, food colour).
b. In a small group discuss the factors that you would consider in reviewing
any such scientific study to determine the validity of the results.
c. Analyze the risks and benefits of the use of your chosen food substitute
or additive. Write a report on the results of your analysis, and make
a recommendation on its use, with supporting arguments.
The
Aspartame Home Page
This site aims to "provide comprehensive information about aspartame
and serve as a reference for sound, scientific data." It contains
links to several sites with various categories--they provide a balanced
look at aspartame.
Artificial
Sweeteners
This page makes up part of the National Cancer Institute (U.S.) "Cancer
Facts" group of websites. It briefly discusses the evidence and
sources for connecting artificial sweeteners to cancer. Its overall
message is that studies have neither proven the link between them, nor
ruled out a connection.
Artificial
Sweeteners
From Chemistry Explained, this site discusses artificial sweeteners
in terms of their molecular structure, discovery, and their metabolism
in the body. It contains helpful diagrams for the organic chemistry
student.
Saccharin:
How Sweet It Is
This site is maintained by the Calorie Control Council, and serves to
promote and defend the use of saccharin. It contains links to pages
with information about the history of saccharin and public policies
towards it, studies related to saccharin, and a number of links to additional
information about saccharin available from other sources.
Section 2.4 questions
p. 124
Question 9
Research the secondary and tertiary structures of one of the
following proteins:
a. fibrinogen, the protein involved in blood clotting;
b. collagen, a connective tissue;
c. cytochrome c, used in electron transport;
d. myoglobin, an oxygen-binding protein;
e. myosin, a muscle protein.
Present your findings in a report that includes a description of the
secondary and tertiary structures that make the protein ideally suited
to its function.
Collagen
Structure
This web page contains a detailed description of collagen's structure,
along with a diagram that shows a 3-dimensional approximation of what
the collagen molecule looks like.
Peptides
This page belongs to a group of Medical Biochemistry pages for a medical
school. It discusses protein structure, and then details the various
options one has for analysing proteins. A quite advanced, but thorough,
Web site.
Collagen
From the Protein Data Bank, this website provides an excellent overview
of collagen, describing not only its structure, but also its relationship
to things like vitamin C and gelatin.
Cytochrome
c
This page contains an image of cytochrome c, with a caption that explains
the use of colour in the schematic diagram.
Cytochromes
c
This advanced site from the Scripps Institute describes the major classes
of cytochrome c molecules, and includes several images and diagrams
showing the 3-dimensional structure of the molecule and its functional
groups, such as the heme group.
Myoglobin
This article was written by an assistant professor at Kent State University.
He briefly discusses myoglobin's function, and then goes on to explain
its various levels of structure. The site includes a diagram, however
it is only visible if you have CHIME software installed on your computer.
Myoglobin
This site discusses in detail myoglobin's function, and then goes on
to explain its various levels of structure. The site includes a diagram,
however it is only visible if you have CHIME software installed on your
computer.
Myosin
and Associated Muscle Proteins
This page belongs to the Neuromuscular Disease Center of the Washington
University School of Medicine. The site provides a very advanced look
at myosin, its different types, its composition, and its central role
in muscles.
Myosin
Structure
A nice, large picture of a myosin molecule. Includes labeling of a few
of the molecule's features.
Question 14
Thalidomide, so harmful when administered as a mix of L and
D configurations, has been banned in many countries. However, it is
a very versatile and inexpensive drug when the configurations are isolated
and used selectively.
a. Research the current use of thalidomide (if any), and other
pharmaceuticals (if any) that are used in its place.
b. Compare the costs of using thalidomide with the costs of developing
alternative drugs or the costs of having no drugs available.
c. Write a brief report addressing the question, “Should thalidomide
continue to be banned?” for use in a popular science magazine.
Thalidomide
This site contains pictures of, and links to information about, thalidomide.
The links contain information about its: first appearance, effects,
isomerism, and re-emergence.
Thalidomide:
Should We Risk Another Tragedy?
This BBC News website invites readers to share their views on the potential
future use of thalidomide. Several readers have shared their comments.
Section 2.7 questions
p. 136
Question 13
Research the following aspects of linseed oil, and write a
report to present your findings:
a. chemical composition;
b. properties;
c. common uses;
d. safety precautions in its use and disposal;
e. classification as natural, organic, or synthetic.
Flaxseed
Oil
An overview of flaxseed oil from the University of Maryland Medical
Center. It details flaxseed oil's content, pharmacology, sources and
therapeutic applications.
Safety
Data for Linseed (Flaxseed) Oil
From Oxford University in England, this site outlines safety considerations
relating to flaxseed oil, including its physical properties and reactivity.
Linseed
Oil
This site from Purdue University's Center for New Crops and Plants Products
provides an overview of linseed oil, and discusses the history of its
production.
Chapter 2 Review Making Connections
p. 147
Question 23
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a derivative of glutamic acid.
It is used widely as a flavour enhancer in canned soups and meats, sauces,
and potato chips.
a. Draw a structural diagram for MSG.
b. Could this molecule have two different conformations? Explain.
c. research and report on any concerns about the use of MSG in foods.
Monosodium
Glutamate (MSG)
This website from About.com's group of websites explains MSG, discusses
its use in cooking.
Food
Allergy and Intolerance
A part of the online WebHealthCentre.com, this site discusses allergic
reactions, food intolerance, and food poisoning. It explains some of
the causes of food allergy/intolerance, and provides information for
those that are afflicted by such intolerance.
