Acids-Bases And Salts/Importance of pH in Everyday Life

 • Importance of pH in everyday life :-

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I) Are plants and animals pH sensitive ?

  -> Our body works within the pH range of 7.0 to 7.8.

 -> Organisms survive in this narrow pH range change.

 -> When pH of rain water is less than 5.6 then it is called acid rain. It lowers the pH of river water when mix with it and the survival of aquatic life becomes difficult.

II) pH of Soil :-

pH of Soil

  -> plants required a specific pH for their healthy growth.

 -> In most plants, the optimum pH range is from 5.5 to 7.0, but some plants will grow in more acid soil or may require a more alkaline level.

 III) pH in our digestive system :-

pH of digestive system

  -> Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid which helps in the digestion of food without harming the stomach.

  -> During indigestion stomach produces too much acid which causes pain and irritation . To get ride from this pain people use bases called antacids which neutralises the excess acid.

-> Magnesium hydroxide ( milk of magnesia) a mild base is often used as antacid.

IV) pH change as the cause of tooth decay :-

Tooth enamel

  -> Tooth decay starts when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5.

 -> The tooth enamel made up of calcium hydroxyapatite ( a crystallin form of calcium phosphate ) is the hardest substance in our body which doesnot dissolve in water but is corroded when the pH in mouth is below 5.5.

 -> Bacteria present in mouth produce acids by degradation of sugar and food particles remains in mouth after eating.

 -> To prevent this mouth should be cleaned after eating using toothpastes which are basic for neutralising the excess acid and prevent tooth decay.

V) Self defence by animals and plants :-

  -> Bee sting leaves acid which causes pain and irritation. Use of mild base like Baking soda on the stung area gives relief.

  -> Stinging hairs of nettle leaves inject methanoic acid which causes burning pain. By rubbing the area with leaves of dock plant gives relief.

Nettle plant

Dock plant

* Some naturally occuring acids :-

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