The bombardier beetle defends itself by spraying a hot quinone solution from its abdomen. This solution is formed by the enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of hydroquinone by hydrogen peroxide. Write a balanced equation for this oxidation.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products involved in the reaction. The reactants are hydroquinone (C6H4(OH)2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the product is quinone (C6H4O2).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction: C6H4(OH)2 + H2O2 -> C6H4O2 + H2O.
3. Balance the carbon atoms. Since there are 6 carbon atoms on both sides, they are already balanced.
4. Balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 4 hydrogen atoms in hydroquinone and 2 in hydrogen peroxide, totaling 6 on the reactant side. On the product side, there are 2 hydrogen atoms in water. Adjust the coefficients to balance the hydrogen atoms.
5. Balance the oxygen atoms. There are 4 oxygen atoms on the reactant side (2 from hydroquinone and 2 from hydrogen peroxide) and 3 on the product side (2 from quinone and 1 from water). Adjust the coefficients to ensure the oxygen atoms are balanced.

Key Concepts

Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions

Enzyme-catalyzed reactions involve biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. In the case of the bombardier beetle, enzymes facilitate the oxidation of hydroquinone, allowing the reaction to occur more efficiently at physiological temperatures. Understanding the role of enzymes is crucial for grasping how biological systems manage complex chemical transformations.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions involve the transfer of electrons between substances, leading to changes in oxidation states. In this context, hydroquinone is oxidized to quinone, while hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent. Recognizing the principles of redox chemistry is essential for writing balanced chemical equations and understanding the underlying mechanisms of the reaction.

Balanced Chemical Equations

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. This ensures the law of conservation of mass is upheld. To write a balanced equation for the oxidation of hydroquinone, one must account for all reactants and products, including any byproducts formed during the reaction, which is critical for accurately depicting the chemical process.