AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Optical isomers are two compounds which contain the same number and kinds of atoms, and bonds (i.e., the connectivity between atoms is the same), and different spatial arrangements of the atoms, but which have non-superimposable mirror images. Each non-superimposable mirror image structure is called an enantiomer.

Detailed explanation-2: -Optical isomers do not exhibit symmetry and do not have identical mirror images.

Detailed explanation-3: -If a pure compound is optically active, the molecule is non-superimposable on its mirror image. If a molecule is superimposable on its mirror image, the compound does not rotate the plane of polarized light and is optically inactive.

Detailed explanation-4: -Superimposable mirror image : this means that an object and it’s mirror image are identical and can’t be distinguished. Non-superimposable mirror image : this means that an object and it’s mirror image are different and can be distinguished.