Question

Define an acid, base, and salt as they apply to chemistry and State three examples each of acids, bases, and salts commonly used in therapeutic processes.

From the examples you state, select one acid, one base, and one salt and describe specifically how and where they are used in therapeutic processes

research on buffered aspirin. On the basis of your research, respond to the following: Define a buffer and explain how a buffer works. Analyze and explain the buffer system in buffered aspirin (carboxylic acid).

Answer 1

Acids: Folic acid, mefenamic acid, ascorbic acid - all weak organic acids.

Folic acid is a type of B-vitamin. It helps tissues grow and cells work. Taking the right amount of folic acid before and during pregnancy helps prevent certain birth defects, and anaemia.

Bases: Aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3, Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2, Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3.

Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2 are used as antacids to neutralise excess acidity in our stomach and to prevent heartburns.

Salts: Silver nitrate AgNO3, Zinc Sulfate ZnSO4, Stannous fluoride [tin(II) fluoride] SnF2.

AgNO3 is used in creams and lotions as a very good germicide and antiseptic.

1)

folic acid- As with all human cell reproduction, the abnormal reproduction of cells that causes cancer requires folic acid, a derivative of vitamin B, as a starting point.

After absorption into the cell, folic acid is first reduced to dihydrofolate, FH₂, by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and then to tetrahydrofolate, FH₄, by the same enzyme.

Tetrahydrofolate acts as a carrier for methylene groups which bind to it on the nitrogen atoms N5 and N10. By carrying a methylene, CH, unit bonded to both N5 and N10 tetrahydrofolate is used for the conversion of 2-deoxyuridylate monophosphate (dUMP) to 2-deoxythymidylate monophosphate (dTMP).

2 )Aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3 -Aluminum hydroxide is a basic inorganic salt that acts by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. Aluminum hydroxide is slowly solubilized in the stomach and reacts with hydrochloric acid to form aluminum chloride and water. It also inhibits the action of pepsin by increasing the pH and via adsorption. Cytoprotective effects may occur through increases in bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) and prostaglandins.Approximately 17-30% of the aluminum chloride formed is absorbed.

3) Silver nitrate AgNO3 -Silver salts have antiseptic properties. Until the development and widespread adoption of antibiotics, dilute solutions of AgNO₃ used to be dropped into newborn babies' eyes at birth to prevent contraction of gonorrhea from the mother. Eye infections and blindness of newborns was reduced by this method; incorrect dosage, however, could cause blindness in extreme cases. This protection was first used by Credé in 1881. Fused silver nitrate, shaped into sticks, was traditionally called "lunar caustic". It is used as a cauterizing agent, for example to remove granulation tissue around a stoma. General Sir James Abbott noted in his journals that in India in 1827 it was infused by a British surgeon into wounds in his arm resulting from the bite of a mad dog to cauterize the wounds and prevent the onset of rabies. Dentists sometimes use silver nitrate infused swabs to heal oral ulcers. Silver nitrate is also used by some podiatrists to kill cells located in the nail bed. Silver nitrate is also used to cauterize superficial blood vessels in the nose to help prevent nose bleeds.