Acids and Bases ( Keeping Us Alive )

Till what extent you know ?

Acids and bases have been a wide range of chemicals over which several researches were done and still going on.

We started our study from the basic Arrhenius concept in which he told that acids are proton ( H+ ion)  donor and bases are donating OH- ion  then further modifications were done by Bronsted and Lowry where H+ donors are called acids and those who accept H+ are called bases and then by Lewis where on the basis of accepting or donating lone pair of electrons, the species are named Lewis Acids and Lewis Bases respectively.

In all these researches, we got to know a different perspective of these Acids and Bases.

We developed a pH Scale over which the acidity of acids and basicity of the bases can be meaure out on the basis of their strength of donating or accepting protons.

These are the basic things that most of us are aware of.

But how these protons or lone pair donation got benefited us ?

Whenever a research is done in any field, one of the major aspect have always been that how these research's outcome gonna be fruitful or beneficial for the HUMAN KIND.

So making it more clear , here u r going to encounter with some wonderful and amazing applications of acid and base based chemicals.

Acid Chemicals for HumanKind -

Whenever we get encounter with this word ACID , the very first thing that comes in our mind is that it is something that causes burn.

But in practical life there are several acids that show some amazing vital effects on human body.

Fosamax - 

According to a recent data it has been estimated that more than 200 Million people in this world are suffering from a disease called Osteoporosis. 

Our medical science developed a drug called FOSAMAX which was approved by FDA in 1995 for the treatment of Osteoporosis. 

How this FOSAMAX is related to ACIDS -

Actually FOSAMAX is the name of a brand and that drug actually contains ALENDRONIC ACID.

So in the above picture it is quite clear that this chemical contains 6 acidic group (5 -OH and 1 -NH2 ).

Actually in the condition called Osteoporosis, the bone density gets decreases because a situation comes under which the rate of bone resorption ( breakdown ) becomes larger than the rate of bone formation and thus the bone gets nibbled away, causing bones to become fragile ( they actually start to resemble Honeycomb ).

FOSAMAX goes specifically to the site of bone resorption and inhibits the activity of the cell responsible for bone resorption, causing the rate of bone formation becomes larger than the rate of bone resorption ( similar to the original condition ).

Hyaluronic Acid -

In this new generation of fashion and style, most of us ( both male and female) are running towards a lot of facial creams, masks, serums, moisturizers etc.

So in this world of Cosmetics, the main effective ingredient which is present in all such creams is Hyaluronic Acid.

In Cosmetics this acid is widely shows it's two main applications-

On one side, it is highly effective dermal filler in the modern anti-aging treatment while on another side it is widely used as ingredient in topcare skincare products such as creams, masks and serums.

Actually Hyaluronic Acid is naturally produced by our body and the largest amount of it are found in our skins , eyes and connective tissues.

The main function of it is to retain moisture.

So, adding it in creams, makes cream more efficient in retaining moisture resulting natural skin glow.

Not limited to this only, there are several other major uses of acids.

But here apart from above, you must encounter with one Major Effect Of Acid.

Insulin -

Diabetes - a disease about which almost everyone is familiar.

An estimation has done where it is recorded that in this world approx 415 MILLIONS OF PEOPLE are suffering from this disease called DIABETES.

Insulin- a hormone produces by Pancreas to regulate sugar levels in blood.

In a very simple way, a condition occurs where the immune system of the body started responding against the body in which it starts destroying the cells in Pancreas which are responsible for the secretion of Insulin.

Now again how this Insulin is related to Acids ? 

Actually the chemical structure and analysis of Insulin is quite complex but making it simple that what are the things that at least we should aware of.

Basically Insulin is a kind of Protein and this protein is composed of two chains A and B both contains Amino Acids ,21 and 30 in numbers which are linked together by Sulphur atoms.

Theses Amino acids are actually the building blocks of Insulin and the way they are arranged make it possible for Insulin to perform it's function like signalling the liver when the body has sufficient energy to take up Glucose and store it as Glycogen.

So, these are some major applications of Acids in Human Body.

Now, Do the bases too show the similar vital effects for Human Kind ?

So let's start with a very common concern of most of the individuals that whenever they eat something spicy or some street foods it causes them Heatburn or simply acidity.

So, getting rid of Acidity the remedy that we usually go for are Antacids.

Antacids-

Antacids are actually bases that helps in neutralizing the acid level in stomach.

Actually Histamine is the chemical that stimulates acid production in stomach.
When we take antacids then since it is a base so it just simply neutralizes the pH level which got low due to acidity.

ENO, Baking Soda (NaHCO3), Milk of Magnesia ( Mg(OH)2 ) are the common examples of Antacids.

Applications of Acids and Bases are not only limited to show their effect in individual manner.

There are several chemicals where both acidic and basic groups are present and both shows significant effect. 

Here two such amazing examples are covered-

Painkillers-

Almost every single disease starts with some sort of pains which further diverse in different directions.

So in spite of what kind of disease we are suffering from, What the first prescription we take before we got to know the type of disease ?

Don't we take PAINKILLERS ?

Whenever we feel a serious pain, the first prescription that we look for are PAINKILLERS.

Although regular dosage of PAINKILLERS are strictly prohibited but still this is the first prescription that we take because it immediately gives relief from the pain.

Painkillers or Analgesics are better than Anesthetics because unlike Anesthetics they provide relief from the pain without putting you into sleep or fade consciousness.

One of the widely known Analgesic is MORPHINE.

Morphine-

Morphine is found in a plant called Opium and it's a natural alkaloids.

As u can get the idea from the pic that this Morphine contains both the acidic (-OH) and basic (-N) group.

Now talking about the effect of Morphine in a simple language so the Morphine acts directly to the Central nervous System when taken either through the injection or directly from the mouth.

Above picture shows the Opium plant that contains Morphine.

Now after covering all this, one thing which need to be taken in account is Human Blood.

But why Blood ? 

Here you get to know -

Human Blood -

We know that the basic function of Human blood is to transport Oxygen to all the cells of the Human body.

Actually human blood is a buffer solution and It's pH is nearly around 7.4 .

So what amazing in this ?

So, How many of you are aware about the fact that if the pH of the blood goes beyond the short range of 6.8 to 8.0 for even few seconds then definitely DEATH WILL RESULT !

             

Actually a protein called Hemoglobin helps in transportation of oxygen to the cells of the body.

So when haemoglobin binds O2 , it loses a proton , which would make the blood more acidic if it did not contain a buffer to maintain it's pH.

                   HbH+           +        O2                ------------        HbO2      +        H+   ( reversible reaction)


A carbonic acid /bicarboante (H2CO3/HCO3-)  controls the pH of the blood.
An important feature of this buffer is that carbonic acid decomposes to CO2 and H2O, as shown below


          HCO3-       +       H+       ------------       H2CO3   ----------     CO2  +   H2O

( Note - All reactions are reversible in nature )

To understand this basic concept of reaction it  is necassary to go through the Le Chatelier's Principle.

Making it more simple when we perform exercise then increased metabolism increases the amount of CO2 inside the body . So from above reactions and with the help of LeChatelier's Principle one can understand that increased level of CO2 shifts the reaction in backward direction as well as during exercise a significant amount of Lactic acid is produced so including all this , the increased amount of H+ shifts the first reaction to the left resulting it prevents the pH of blood to goes down.

Amazing effects of Chemicals have been taken Granted -

We know millions of complex reactions are always going inside the body which keep us alive.

Since we usually never feel uneasiness in respiration , walking , sitting , hearing and in all the capabilities, so we never care much about how it goes on !

Haven't we take all these granted ?

Unfortunately yes ! The thing is that we never get amazed on how life goes on and it is not a dispute between being optimistic or pessimistic in nature but the thing is that we must appreciate this wonderful balance of nature which keep us alive !!