Acid on cell membranes - Biology Forum

last updated by

jwalin 14 years, 10 months ago

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- March 6, 2006 at 9:05 am #3913
  caulfc
  Participant
  What do acidic solutions do to cell membranes?
  I think or teacher says they creates holes and allows the pigment to leak out but which part of the cell membrane does it affect? ❓
  I read the post about beetroot and temperature and now we’re doing that prac but I need help writing up this one, please help if u know…
- February 16, 2010 at 1:37 am #97632
  Mio
  Participant
  The acid would probably affect the tertiary structure of the proteins (Intrinsic and extrinsic) held within the bi-layer of the phospholipid membrane.
  This causes the proteins to denature and unfold, causing the "holes" that your teacher has mentioned.
- February 16, 2010 at 11:45 am #97648
  jwalin
  Participant
  mio is right
  just to add on the excessive h+ ions affect the hydrogen bonding in secondary, tertiary and even quatenary structures
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