Chemistry has been a very challenging and rewarding course.

At times it was difficult to

understand some of the concepts and apply them to everyday life. I’ve always had a fascination

with wildlife and nature. So whenever I could apply a concept we were learning with something

that interested me, it made it easier for me to understand. When we were learning about chemical

reactions I came across the bombardier beetle and it really helped me understand chemical

reactions and how certain chemicals can become very toxic and potent as soon as they are mixed

together.

The African Bombardier beetle cannot immediately take flight when being attacked by

predators. So they have evolved in order to protect themselves until they can take flight and

escape danger. This evolution has allowed them to

discharge a boiling stream of toxic chemicals. Due

to the fact that it’s a boiling mixture of chemicals,

these chemicals must be stored separately until just

prior to discharging the toxic chemicals. The bombardier beetle has two separate compartments

where it seperatley stores each chemical. In one of the compartments hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

and methylhydroquinone (C7H8O2) is stored. In the

other compartment a mixture of enzymes

known as catalases and peroxidases are stored.

These enzymes react with the hydrogen

peroxide to form oxygen gas and water (2H2O2

2H2O(l) + O2(g)). When the contents of the

(aq)

two glands are mixed, the oxygen (O2) reacts with the hydroquinone (C6H6O2) to create

benzoquinone (C6H4O2). This reaction is very exothermic; the temperature of the mixture can
reach 100 degrees C (212 F). Once the chemical reaction has occurred, the buildup of the

oxygen gas (O2) causes the hot mixture of water (H2O) and benzoquinone (C6H4O2) to be

expelled.

This example of the Bombardier beetle is just one of many ways wildlife/insects have

evolved to use chemical reactions in their favor, helping them survive. Before this class I never

would have thought twice about how these chemical reactions work and how they are used as a

defense mechanism. But now I have a better understanding about these types of chemical

reactions and just how powerful and fast they can be just by simply mixing a few different

chemicals together.

References

 https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/bombardier-beetle-and-its-chemical-bombs

 Steven S. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation

 https://www.kqed.org/science/536762/the-bombardier-beetle-and-its-crazy-

chemical-cannon