Zwitterion – Or Fun with Chemistry

I have had chemistry up through graduate level biochemistry.  One of my most vivid memories of all that time spent in chemistry classes was a test given when I was taking Quantitative Analysis (Chem II).

The above screen shot from somewhere on the Da’  Net reminded me of that exam.  I had two thoughts when seeing the above image.

First, it must be an old test as Donald J. Trump was not among the possible choices.

Secondly, it reminded me of that Chem II test.  The particular question was what is a zwitterion.  Just to satisfy your curiosity a zwitterion,  also called an inner salt or dipolar ion, is a molecule that contains an equal number of positively and negatively charged functional groups. All of which I remember after all these years, likely due to the way the question appeared on the exam.

This part of the test being multiple choice, the professor listed several options including one that read: A German marching band.  For some reason it cracked me up in the middle of taking the test and I let out a rather loud chuckle that disturbed a few of my fellow chemistry cohorts.

Ahh… fun with chemistry.

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way…

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