Читать книгу Biochemistry For Dummies - John Moore T., Richard Langley H., John T. Moore - Страница 12

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding the roles and properties of water

Exploring the differences between acids and bases

Controlling pH with buffers

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. People swim, bathe, boat, and fish in it. It carries waste from people’s homes and is used in the generation of electrical power. Humans drink it in a variety of forms: pure water, soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, and so on. Water, in one form or another, moderates the temperature of the Earth and of the human body.

In the area of biochemistry, water is also one of the lead actors. The human body is about 70 percent water. Water plays a role in the transport of material to and from cells. And many, many aqueous solutions take part in the biochemical reactions in the body.

In this chapter, we examine the water molecule’s structure and properties. We explain how water behaves as a solvent. We also look at the properties of acids and bases, and the equilibria that they may undergo. Finally, we discuss the pH scale and buffers, including the infamous Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. So sit back, grab a glass of water (or your favorite water-based beverage), and dive in!