_ Connecting to Biochemistry

81. Carbon-14 dating is a method used to determine the age of historical

artifacts by examining the ratio of two isotopes of carbon
(carbon-14 and carbon-12). A living plant consumes carbon dioxide
in the photosynthesis process and incorporates the carbon,
including 14C, into its molecules. As long as a plant lives, the
14C/12C ratio in its molecules remains the same as in the atmosphere
because of its continuous uptake of carbon. However, as
soon as a tree is cut to make a wooden bowl or a flax plant is
harvested to make linen, the 14C/12C ratio begins to decrease because
of the radioactive decay of 14C (12C is stable). By comparing
the current 14C/12C ratio to the presumed ratio when the artifact
was made, one can estimate the age of the artifact. For
carbon-14 and carbon-12, how many protons and neutrons are
in each nucleus? Assuming neutral atoms, how many electrons
are present in an atom of carbon-14 and in an atom of carbon-12?

81. 12C: 6 p, 6 n, 6 e; 14C6 p, 8 n, 6 e

82. What are the symbols for the following nonmetal elements that
are most often present in compounds studied in organic chemistry:
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.
Predict a stable isotope for each of these elements.
83. Four Fe2_ ions are key components of hemoglobin, the protein
that transports oxygen in the blood. Assuming that these ions are
53Fe2_, how many protons and neutrons are present in each
nucleus, and how many electrons are present in each ion?
84. Carbohydrates, a class of compounds containing the elements
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, were originally thought to contain
one water molecule (H2O) for each carbon atom present.
The carbohydrate glucose contains six carbon atoms. Write a
general formula showing the relative numbers of each type of
atom present in glucose.
85. The vitamin niacin (nicotinic acid, C6H5NO2) can be isolated
from a variety of natural sources such as liver, yeast, milk, and
whole grain. It also can be synthesized from commercially available
materials. From a nutritional point of view, which source of
nicotinic acid is best for use in a multivitamin tablet? Why?
86. Give the systematic name for the following compounds that are
found in everyday life.
a. H2S (rotten egg smell)
b. SO2 (smell of burnt matches)
c. SF6 (aerosol can propellant)
d. Na2SO3 (dried fruit preservative