An ant secretes 1.08 ng/gland of methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate as it returns from a food source. Each ant has two secreting glands. Over this period, the ant secretes a total solution volume of 30.5 nL. Determine the molarity of the pheromone.



Answer :

Assuming a molar mass of 150 g/mol for methyl 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate (estimate based on similar molecules), here's how to calculate the molarity of the pheromone solution:

* Convert secretion rate from ng/gland to moles:

* Secretion rate per gland = 1.08 ng/gland * (1 ug / 1000 ng) * (1 mmol / 1000 ug) = 1.08 x 10^-9 mmol/gland

* Total secretion rate from both glands = 1.08 x 10^-9 mmol/gland * 2 glands = 2.16 x 10^-9 mmol

* Convert solution volume from nL to L:

* Solution volume = 30.5 nL * (1 L / 1e9 nL) = 3.05 x 10^-8 L

* Calculate molarity:

* Molarity = moles of solute / liters of solution = (2.16 x 10^-9 mmol) / (3.05 x 10^-8 L) = 0.708 M

Therefore, the estimated molarity of the pheromone solution is approximately 0.708 M.