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You and your research group are studying a new biologically important molecule.

ID: 918884 • Letter: Y

Question

You and your research group are studying a new biologically important molecule. In vivo, testudoic acid (H2TA) is oxidized to dehydrotestudoic acid (TA). The standard reduction potential was determined to be +0.324 V. a. Write the oxidation half reaction of testudoic acid. b. Could the experiment you conducted in lab be repeated to determine the amount of testudoic acid in a sample? Explain why or why not. c. Would dissolved oxygen in solution affect the reaction? If so, how would it alter your results? Include any half reactions to support your answe

Explanation / Answer

The Oxidation half reaction is

       H2TA - 2e- = TA + 2H+

The actual half cell potential depends upon the concentration of the oxidized species according to Nearnst Equation. Hence, this experiment can be utilized to calculate the concentration of H2TA.

In presence of Oxygen the additional reaction taking place is

       4H+ + O2 + 4e- = 2 H2O

This reaction will get coupled with the original reaction to facilitate the oxidation.