Emma S. answered • 17d
OU STEM Tutor Focused on Clear Explanations and Student Growth
a. why is nitrogen necessary for life? Include the terms amino acids and proteins in answer
Nitrogen is a limiting element, meaning it is less abundant in the environment overall. It is very important because it is needed for the formation of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids; these are macromolecules foundational to an organism. Proteins defend and fight, transport, build other molecules, and can act as enzyme &/or catalyst.
b. what important chemical group used by plants oxygen form which includes nitrogen
I believe you are trying to ask what group including Nitrogen & Oxygen, do plants use. NO3- (Nitrate). It gets assimilated via plant roots up-taking it from the soil.
c. why is phosphorus necessary for life
It is another limited element. The fact that P is stuck in the earth's crust, naturally, means it slowly is released into the environment. It used for the creation of nucleotides such as ATP, ADP, DNA, and RNA. Which is essential for passing down genetic information for the next generation via reproduction.
d. what imprtant chemicla group used by plants does oxygen form which includes phosphorus
P- (Phosphorous ion, Phosphorous reserve in soil)
e. how does the polar nature of what molecules affect teh ability of subsances to dissolve in water
Polarity is the nature of molecules that have opposite charges. Whether or not ions, and other molecules have a polarity (a charge) difference is due to electronegativity, the sharing of electrons.
Whether or not a substance dissolves in water is due to the possibility of intermolecular forces forming (IMFs, between molecules). Such as London Dispersion Forces LDFs, Dipole-Dipole, Hydrogen Bonding, Ion-Dipoles, or Ion-Induced Dipoles.
Those that are similar in polarity can form these IMFs: ie: Nonpolar (no charge difference) to form LDFs. Thus they dissolve in one another.
In short: Like dissolves Like. Meaning Similar Polarity Solvents, Dissolves Similar Solutes.
f. why is this important for plants
Plants hold water yet it needs to absorb different molecules. Thus it needs to absorb P & N; thus it must be in a form that is polar so to effectively use and absorb as these elements would be unable to be dissolved and thus transported in the plant.
