Household and Environmental Chemistry
Toxic Organisms
The Lab and Safety Bench
Bonds, Mixtures & Compounds
Toxic Effects and Map Analysis
100

This household chemical, often used to clean wounds, decomposes into water and oxygen gas, creating a characteristic fizzing.

Hydrogen Peroxide 

100

Touching this plant causes a rash due to an oil called urushiol; its scientific name is Toxicodendron radicans.


Poison Ivy

100

In chromatography, this is the term for the phase that moves (usually water or alcohol), while the paper acts as the stationary phase.

Mobile Phase


100

This type of chemical bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, typically occurring between two non-metals.

Covalent Bond


100

This environmental toxin is a heavy metal often found in old pipes; chronic exposure in children can lead to developmental delays and neurological damage.


Lead (Pb)


200

Mixing these two common household cleaners (sodium hypochlorite and ammonia) produces toxic chloramine gas and should never be done.

Bleach and Ammonia


200

This invasive amphibian, Rhinella marina, has large parotoid glands that secrete toxins when the animal is threatened.


Cane Toad

200

This lab technique involves a step-by-step reduction in the concentration of a substance, often by a factor of 10 at each step.

Serial Dilution


200

Unlike a compound, this is a physical blend of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded and can be separated by physical means.

Mixture

200

If a toxic spill occurs in a valley, this environmental factor (one of the three listed in your cheat sheet) will cause the toxin to pool at the lowest elevation.

Gravity

300

This environmental toxin, a heavy metal once common in thermometers, can undergo "biomagnification" in aquatic food chains.


Mercury

300

This marine organism is not a true jellyfish but a colony of organisms; its long tentacles deliver painful venomous stings.


Portuguese Man o' War

300

Identify the type of change: Mixing vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) results in the production of CO2 gas.


Chemical Change


300

In this specific type of mixture, one substance (the solute) is completely dissolved in another (the solvent), such as Epsom salts in water.

Solution

300

This term describes the process where a toxin's concentration decreases as more solvent (like water) is added, potentially making it less harmful.

Dilution

400

While used as a laxative and for sore muscles, an overdose of these "salts" (magnesium sulfate) can lead to hypermagnesemia.


Epsom Salts

400

The sap of this massive plant, Heracleum mantegazzianum, causes "phytophototoxicity," where skin blisters severely when exposed to sunlight.


Giant Hogweed

400

According to the rules, your hair must be tied back if it is at least this long to prevent fire or chemical contamination.

Shoulder Length


400

This type of bond is formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, usually a metal and a non-metal.

Ionic Bond


400

This specific "toxic living organism" is an invasive fish with venomous spines that is currently disrupting ecosystems in the Atlantic and Caribbean.


Lionfish (Pterois sp)

500

You are given a mixture of iron filings, Epsom salts, and sand. Describe the physical property and the tool you would use to remove the iron first.

Magnetism (use a magnet)

500

This bean, Physostigma venenosum, contains an alkaloid that inhibits acetylcholinesterase, a mechanism similar to many nerve gases.

Calabar Bean

500

If a solution has a high concentration of $H^+$ ions, its pH value will be in this specific range (0–14).

0 to <7 (Acidic)


500

To separate a solution of rubbing alcohol and water, you would use this process which relies on the fact that the two liquids have different boiling points.

Distillation

500

Consumption of the leaves of this plant, Rheum rhaponticum, can be toxic due to high concentrations of oxalic acid, which can cause kidney failure.

Rhubarb