BIOC 2580 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Deprotonation, Acid Dissociation Constant, Amine
14 Jun 2016
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Synopsis: biochemical reactions occur in aqueous solution at close to neutral ph. Many biochemical substances such as amino acids include weak acid groups such as carboxylates, sh or phenolic oh, or weak bases such as amines or some ring n compounds. Normal biochemical processes occur in aqueous solution close to neutral ph; typical physiological ph is about 7. 2 to 7. 4, and ph 7. 0 is a close approximation. Each ionic functional group, e. g. amino groups or carboxylic acid groups, has a characteristic constant, pka, which expresses the tendency to gain or lose h+. The henderson hasselbalch equation allows one to do the calculations needed: to determine the ph given the ionic conditions of the surroundings; if pka and the concentrations are known, ph can be calculated, to determine the degree of protonation or deprotonation of an ionizable functional group at a given ph.
