Karen Wetterhahn

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/karen-wetterhahn

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Karen Wetterhahn born?October 16, 1948
2. Where was Karen Wetterhahn born?United States
3. What is Karen Wetterhahn known for?Pioneering research in toxic metal exposure and chemistry
4. When did Karen Wetterhahn die?June 8, 1997
5. What is the academic affiliation?Professor of Chemistry at Dartmouth College
6. What is the fatal agent?Dimethylmercury (Hg(CH3)2)

Toxicology: The scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on living organisms.
Organomercury Compound: A mercury compound in which mercury is bonded to carbon atoms, often exhibiting high toxicity and lipid solubility.
Lipophilic: Having an affinity for fats; able to dissolve in fats, oils, and lipids.
Systemic Absorption: The process by which a substance enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body.