NAME: RIBCA MARIAM

CMS:17961
SUBJECT: BIOCHEMISTRY AND GENETICS
SUBMITTED TO: SIR MOBIN MUSTAFA
IMPORTANCE OF ACIDS, BASES
AND SALTS IN HUMAN BODY
AND PHYSIOTHERAPY ……….
Acids:
Definition:
An acid is a chemical species that donates protons or hydrogen ions and/or accepts electrons.
EXAMPLES:

 Aqua Regia contains concentrated Nitric acid and concentrated Hydrochloric acid in the ratio
1:3. Aqua Regia means 'Royal Water' in Latin. It is used to dissolve noble metals like gold and
platinum.
 Milk contains lactic acid. Lactic acid is named after the Latin word 'lac', which means milk.
 Vinegar is very dilute acetic acid. The vinegar used in cooking contains approximately 4% of
acetic acid. The chemical formula of acetic acid is CH3COOH.
 Sulfuric acid is used in the manufacture of many car batteries. It is also known as 'Oil of Vitriol'. The
chemical formula of Sulfuric acid is H2SO4.
 Carbonic acid is responsible for the 'fizz' in soft drinks. The carbonic acid decomposes into Carbon
dioxide bubbles. The chemical formula of Carbonic acid is H2CO3.
 Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of Vitamin C. Deficiency of Vitamin C in the body may result
in a disease known as scurvy. The chemical formula of ascorbic acid is C6H8O6.
Physical Properties of Acids:
It has a sour taste
It turns blue litmus to red
It turns Methyl orange to red
Acids are electrolytes
Strong acids destroy fabrics
Strong acids cause burn on skin
Chemical properties of acids:
Neutralization:
An acid when reacts with a base, salt & water are produced. This reaction is called
neutralization.
𝑯𝑪𝒍 + 𝑵𝒂𝐎𝐇 → 𝑵𝒂𝒄𝒍 + 𝑯𝟐𝑶
Reaction with Carbonates:
Acid and carbonates are combined to produce salt, water and carbon dioxide.
MgCo3 + 2HCl → MgCl2 + Co2 + H2O
Reaction with Bicarbonates:
Acid and bicarbonates are combined to produce salt, water and carbon dioxide.
NaHCO3+𝑯𝑪𝒍 → NaCl +CO2 + H2O
Bases:
Definition:
A base is a substance that can accept a hydrogen ion (H+) from another substance.
Examples:
Sodium hydroxide is also known as 'Caustic Soda'. Its chemical formula is NaOH.
Potassium hydroxide is also known as 'Caustic Potash'. It is used in the manufacture of
alkaline batteries. Its chemical formula is KOH.
Ammonia is a basic gas which is used in the manufacture of fertilizers such as Urea,
Ammonium nitrate, and Ammonium sulfate. Ammonia is produced for commercial
purposes by the Haber's Process. When dissolved in water, Ammonia forms a base
known as Ammonium hydroxide. The chemical formula of Ammonia is NH3
Physical Properties of bases:
They have a bitter taste
They have slippery touch
They conduct electricity
It turns red litmus blue
It turns colorless phenolphthalein to pink
Chemical Properties of bases:
Reaction with Acids:
KOH + HCl → KCl + HCl
Reaction with Salts:
FeCl3 + 3NaOH→ Fe(OH)3 +3NaCl
Reaction with Metals:
2Al + 2NaOh + 2H2O → 2NaAlO2 + 3H2
Salts:
Definition:
Any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the
hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or other cation.
Examples:
 Sodium sulfate is a normal salt whereas Sodium bisulfate is an acid salt.
 Sodium sulfide is soluble in water whereas Copper carbonate, Lead chloride, and Barium sulfate
are insoluble in water.
 Sodium carbonate is used in the manufacture of detergents and glass.
 Zinc sulfide is insoluble in water whereas Potassium phosphate, Ammonium carbonate, and
Barium chloride are soluble in water.
 Ammonium nitrate is used in the manufacture of fertilizers.
Physical properties of Salts:
Odorless, white, cubic crystals
Hygroscopic
Characteristic salty taste
Melting point = 800.8 °C
Boiling point = 1465 °C
Density = 2.165 g/cm³
Solubility at 25 °C = 35.9 g/100 g water
Vapour pressure at 865 °C = 1 mm Hg
Solid does not conduct electricity
Liquid conducts electricity
Aqueous solution conducts electricity
Chemical Properties of Salts:
Does not undergo combustion
Electrolysis of molten NaCl forms chlorine gas and metallic sodium
2NaCl → 2Na + Cl2
 Concentrated sulfuric acid converts it to hydrogen chloride
𝟐𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍 + 𝑯𝟐𝑺𝑶𝟒 → 𝑵𝒂𝟐𝑺𝑶𝟒 + 𝟐𝑯𝑪𝒍
Aqueous solution reacts with aqueous silver nitrate to form silver chloride
𝑵𝒂𝑪𝒍 + 𝑨𝒈𝑵𝑶𝟑 → 𝑵𝒂𝑵𝑶𝟑 + 𝑨𝒈𝑪𝒍
Importance of acids, bases
and salts in human body:
Human body contains many fluids, hormones. blood cells tissues etc. These fluids are
necessary for normal activity in the body.

The acids base and salts play a vital role in maintaining the balance. As if any of these fluids
exceed than their level then they may cause harm to the body.
Also these salts and acids are necessary for the metabolism of the body.
For Example:
• The secretion of bile is essential at the same time if it is more than its limit then it may lead to some
problem.
• The stomach has acidic pH of 1-3 which helps the Pepsin (an enzyme) to act on proteins. Pepsin is
inactive in other ph.
• Similarly the pH of our intestine is basic i.e. 8-10. This helps the enzymes like Trypsin to work in its best.
The pH are maintained by different ions or salts presents in our body like H+, OH-, HCO3-, K+, Na+,
Cl- etc.
• The salts are also responsible for several type of muscular activities in our body i.e. muscle
contraction. Ca2+ is responsible for heart beat which we are getting from calcium salts in our food
like milk or meat same time if it more than its limit then it may lead to some problem.
• During strenuous exercise, the amount of oxygen available to our muscles decreases. This prompts
our muscle cells to produce lactic acid as a source of fuel for the mitochondria, which produce
energy. As the mitochondria exhaust the available supply of lactic acid, the muscles are able to
work longer and harder.
• Deoxyribonucleic acid, commonly called DNA, contains the genetic code that allows living
organisms to create new members of their species. Genes – the segments of DNA that tell the
body how to produce specific proteins – contain the genetic information that is passed from
parents to their offspring. These genes are found in structures called chromosomes, which are
passed to the embryo during conception. Because the DNA passed from one human to another
helps determine gender and physical characteristics, this nucleic acid is necessary for the survival
of the specie.
• The human body needs ribonucleic acid to produce proteins and transmit some types of genetic
information. RNA carries genetic information from the nucleus of the cell to the site of protein
production, making it essential for human life. RNA also plays an important role in protecting DNA
from harm, as it prevents the DNA from having to leave the nucleus to carry genetic information to
other parts of the cell.
Disorders:
Cushing’s Syndrome: It is caused by high levels of stress and sleep deprivation,
leads to muscle loss or muscle wasting.
Sleep deprivation prevents the growth hormone, which builds muscle and bone,
from being released in the sleep cycle.
Macro mineral deficiencies and also cause hair loss and brittle nails.
Hypokalemia: It is when the level of potassium in blood is too low.
Potassium levels become low when too much is lost from the digestive tract or
excreted in urine.
◦ Hyperkalemia: It is when the level of potassium in blood is too high.
Kidney disorders and drugs that affect kidney function can
cause hyperkalemia. Adrenal disorders caused by stress such as Addison’s
disease, under active adrenal glands, can also cause hyperkalemia.
◦ Lactic acidosis: (physiologic processes and exogenous toxins)It can be caused
by the buildup of lactic acid such as happens in shock, primary hypoxia due
to lung disorders, seizures, carbon monoxide, cyanide, iron.

◦ Metabolic alkalosis: It develops when the body loses too much acid from vomiting or
when stomach acids are removed. Metabolic alkalosis can develop when excessive
loss of sodium or potassium affects the kidneys' ability to control the blood's acid-
base balance. For instance, loss of potassium sufficient to cause metabolic alkalosis
may result from an overactive adrenal gland.
o Some causes are gastric acid loss, congenital chloridorrhea, villous adenoma,
primary hyperaldosteronism ,
secondary hyperaldosteronism, barter syndrome,gitelman's syndrome,
diuretics, hypokalemia (low potassium) and hypomagnesaemia (low
magnesium), posthypercapnic, post organic acidosis, milk-alkali syndrome
(calcium antacids), carbohydrate refeeding after starvation, sweat loss in
cystic fibrosis, laxative abuse, and some antibiotics.
Treatment in Physiotherapy:
◦ Macro minerals, acids and bases levels are contraindicated for physical therapy
intervention due to the potential for arrhythmia and tetany. When the levels are not
within the normal range exercise is not effective due to decreased muscle pH and
action potentials as well as inhibition of motor neurons. With a patient who has
marginal levels of these substances, vital signs (including pulse rhythm) and any signs
of dizziness, muscle weakness or cramping, numbness or tingling, and changes in
balance should be closely monitored. At this time, no research addresses the change
in level of these substances that occurs with exercise. However, it is known that
patients with hyperkalemia are at risk for ventricular arrhythmias which can result in
reduced exercise tolerance.
◦ Hyperkalemia is a disorder that is not managed primarily by a physical therapist,
however physical therapists should be aware of signs and symptoms of this disorder
and should refer the patient to a medical doctor when indicated.
Physical therapy management:
The deficiency of Macro minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium due to
stress can cause serious disorders. Some psychological and neurological disorders are
depression, emotional disturbances, personality changes, hallucinations, confusion, loss
of memory, seizures, and coma. Some physical symptoms (disorders) are muscle pain,
muscle cramps, muscle spasms, tremors, and complications of the heart such as cardiac
arrest or heart failure. Deficiencies in Macro minerals can also cause or lead to Acid-Base
disorders.

Six macro minerals are required in large quantities for the body. Four (sodium (Na),
potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)) are cations; two (chlorine (Cl) and
phosphorus (P)) are accompanying anions. Brain, muscle, heart, and bone function
depend on these minerals and are vital for the body’s cells. Consuming too little or too
much of certain minerals can cause serious disorders.
Acid-Base disorders, caused by high levels of stress and sleep deprivation, leads to
osteoporosis or bone loss.
END….