[Campbell Biology P.110] What is the defining characteristic of enantiomers, as described in... | Practice Question

What is the defining characteristic of enantiomers, as described in the text and illustrated in Figure 4.7c?

  • A: They differ in the covalent arrangement of their atoms.
  • B: They are mirror images of each other and differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon.
  • C: They differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms around a double bond.
  • D: They have different molecular formulas.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'Enantiomers are isomers that are mirror images of each other and that differ in shape due to the presence of an asymmetric carbon, one that is attached to four different atoms or groups of atoms.' Figure 4.7c visually confirms this with L and D isomers.