Basic Science #2: Acids and Bases

Thanks to my readers who responded with interest to my basic science post.  Someone asked if the next element is going to be nitrogen?
I am now suggesting this order: we first talk about hydrogen then water then acids and bases.  Next nitrogen, ammonia carbon dioxide.  Then amino acids.
Hydrogen is element number 1.  One proton one electron.  The most abundant element on our planet. Oxygen is element number 8.  Oxygen is what we inhale and is essential for our survival.
These two elements give us WATER which is also essential for our survival.  H2O.

 

The water molecules has two ions in equilibrium: H+ proton and OH- hydroxyl:

When the amount of protons and hydroxyls is equal the pH is neutral, or pH=7.

When the protons are in a higher concentrations, then the pH is acidic.  Examples: When we eat acid is pumped into our stomachs to a pH as low as ONE in order to digest the food.

Vinegar and lemon juice are also acidic.  Interesting to note here that the Hebrew word for acid comes from the rood that means sour.  Any foods with a sour taste are acidic.

When the hydroxyl ion is in high concentrations the pH is basic.  Examples are baking soda and drain cleaners.  Bases usually taste bitter.

 

Now we are ready to talk about nitrogen.  Element number 7.  Nitrogen interacts with hydrogen to form ammonia: NH3. 

 

 

 Ammonia has a bad smell.  When dissolved in water ammonia will become basic:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone is familiar with carbon dioxide CO2.
CO2 in water:
 Yes, this will be slightly acidic.

Now we are ready to understand what is an amino acid.  Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in our food and in our bodies.  There are 22 amino acids in life. 
A simple amino acid is alanine:
The amine group is in blue.  The red group is the organic acid COOH.

Here is a chart of the various amino acids categorized by their chemical structure:

 http://rosalind.info/media/amino_acid_table.png

 Hope this post will help those who want to understand better.