The chemistry of selenium is similar to that of ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B, sulfur. Selenium and sulfur are both in group 16 of the periodic table, so they have similar electron configurations and similar properties. They can also form similar compounds, such as oxides and sulfides. Therefore, selenium is often considered a "sulfur analog" in biochemical and geological contexts. However, the chemistry of selenium also has some unique features that distinguish it from sulfur. For example, selenium can form selenoproteins, which contain a rare amino acid called selenocysteine, while sulfur does not form analogous compounds.

The Chemistry of Selenium Is Similar to That of ____