Acid-Base Medium
Home Up Solvent Acid-Base Medium Thermal Properties Effects of Water Loss

 

Acid-Base Medium

Many of the biomolecules we will encounter are either acids or bases. Some of them are even acidic in one part of the molecule and basic in another. Many of the reactions that occur between biomolecules are acid-base reactions or have an acid-base component to them. Water is an ideal solvent for acid-base reactions, in part because water can function as both an acid and a base.

In the presence of an acid, water will accept a proton to form the hydronium ion.

In the presence of a base, water will donate a proton to leave behind the hydroxide ion.

Reaction equations showing water acting as bot acid and base. [66rxn01.JPG]

Water's ability to accept, carry and release protons in acid-base reactions is another of its chemical properties that makes it very suitable as a biological medium.

 

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