Q2ITD - Campbell Biology

Question

Compare the concentrations listed in the table for methadone and phenobarbital. Which concentration is higher? By how much?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The concentration of methadone is \(2 \times 1{0^{ - 8}}\)M, while that of phenobarbital is 10^-4 M. Among these two concentrations, the concentration of phenobarbital is higher by approximately 5000 times.

Step 1: Solutions

In biochemistry and chemical science, generally, a solution comprises a solute (a substance that gets dissolved) and a solvent (the substance in which solute is added and mixed). 

Step 2: Concentration

In any solution, the concentration value is used for estimating the amount of solute present within a solution. The value of concentration is denoted in the scientific format; that is, to the power of 10. This value can either have positive power of 10 or negative power of 10.

Step 3: Comparison of concentrations

If the value of a solution’s concentration has a positive power of 10, it is always greater than any value having a negative power of 10. Among the values with negative power, the concentration with a higher negative power of 10 is considered less concentrated.

 

Therefore, the concentration of phenobarbital (10^-4 M) is higher than the concentration of methadone (\(2 \times 1{0^{ - 8}}\)M). The concentration of the drug phenobarbital is approximately high by (10^-4 M) divided by (\(2 \times 1{0^{ - 8}}\)M), which is equal to 5000 times.