Answer to Question #265613 in Cell Biology for Hutchii

Question

Answer the blank: Destruction of the ozone layer takes place when its component ozone (O3) is converted into oxygen gas (O2) as shown by the following chemical equation O3 + O = 2O2

Although degradation of O3 happens naturally, there are some man-made substances that cause this process to take place at a rate which is harmful to the environment. One such substance is chlorofluorocarbon or CFC. In the presence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a chlorine (Cl) atom from CFC reacts with O3 and converts its to O2 at a faster rate. This is shown by the 2 equations below.

Cl + O3 = ClO + O2

ClO + O = Cl + O2

In this process, the chlorine atom acts as _________________________

Answer 1

Catalyst