Arsenic Poisoning Is a Serious Problem in Many Parts of the World

question 43

Multiple Choice

Arsenic poisoning is a serious problem in many parts of the world. When arsenic poisoning occurs, arsenic binds to proteins and eventually causes cellular damage. This leads to a variety of symptoms in humans including exhaustion, muscle weakness, organ failure, and cancer. Arsenic poisoning is commonly treated with a drug called dimercaprol (or BAL) that binds arsenic, which sets up a competing equilibrium within the body. Once arsenic reacts to form a complex with BAL, it can be excreted from the body. Arsenic-protein complex Arsenic + proteins + BAL Arsenic-BAL complex
How does treatment with BAL affect the equilibrium shown above?

• A) Adding BAL does not affect the equilibrium.
• B) Adding BAL pushes the reaction to the left.
• C) Adding BAL pushes the reaction to the right.
• D) Adding BAL causes less arsenic-BAL to be made.
• E) Adding BAL causes more arsenic-protein complex to be made.

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Definitions:

Institution of Slavery

A social and economic system where individuals are owned by others, denied freedom, and forced to work without wages.

Northwest Native Americans

Indigenous peoples from the Northwestern United States, known for their rich cultural heritage, including totem poles, potlatch ceremonies, and highly skilled fishing techniques.

Treaty of Greenville

A 1795 agreement between the United States and Native American tribes in the Ohio Valley, which ended the Northwest Indian War and opened up much of present-day Ohio to American settlement.

Ceded

The act of giving up power or territory, often as a result of negotiating after a conflict or a treaty.