Question: How do biological materials respond to changes in pH?
Answer: They get more acidic or basic.
2006-09-04 12:42:17 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
to me your answer sounds right, and im a bio major
2006-09-04 12:44:26 · answer #1 · answered by golfer2006 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋
biological materials always want to be at a optimum pH where their enzymes and the reactions which they undergo will happen most eficently, so when thy are exposed to a pH change many of them have buffers in their system to try and maintain the pH at optimum.
A river system for example have disolved HCO3 ^ - in the system and if acid is pured onto it the HCO3 _ - acts like a base:
HCO3^- + HCl ---> H2CO3 + Cl
This dampens the effect of the acid. Vice versa with a base...i hope this is what you were asking for.
2006-09-04 19:53:10 · answer #2 · answered by de5tiny06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well... I am no biologist, or whatever BUT.. YOUR answer is neither correct or incorrect.. Of course when one changes the PH, it (the result) is either more acidic or more basic... but one has to go further... Changing the PH on materials... the results would depend HEAVILY on what materials are used
2006-09-04 19:49:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but there are often consequences to this more acid or more basic environment.
For example the enzyme amylase converts starch into glucose units in the basic environment of the human mouth. The more you chew a cracker, the sweeter it becomes. Once you swallow, the acid in the stomach stops this activity. Amylase no longer works in the acid environment.
2006-09-04 19:46:09 · answer #4 · answered by Richard 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Well if they are proteins such as enzymes, that is huge. Proteins can be denatured (lose their strucutre) by changes in pH. Maintaining a stable pH is part of homeostasis for all life.
2006-09-04 19:52:56 · answer #5 · answered by bioguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Note BIOLOGICAL. Your answer is very general
2006-09-04 19:54:31 · answer #6 · answered by DK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, its correct and I agree with Richard's answer's too.
2006-09-04 19:55:45 · answer #7 · answered by Sam X9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Makes sense to me!
2006-09-04 19:47:34 · answer #8 · answered by my_lil_buttercups 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds good to me.
2006-09-04 19:48:11 · answer #9 · answered by happybidz2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why got reported?im smart.. it was me i think..............only if i was dumb!
2006-09-04 19:48:34 · answer #10 · answered by AvesPro 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋