123k views
2 votes
A naturally occurring acid that dissolves the bonds between cells is:

User Nhgrif
by
8.4k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Hydrochloric acid is an example of a naturally occurring acid that dissolves the bonds between cells by releasing hydrogen ions, which can participate in reactions like hydrolysis to break cellular bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The naturally occurring acid that dissolves the bonds between cells is a substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. When an acid is dissolved in water, it separates into a positively-charged hydrogen ion and an anion, as can be seen in the chemical equation for hydrochloric acid (HCl), which dissociates into H+ and Cl- when dissolved in water.

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that ionizes completely in the stomach's watery environment, aiding digestion and killing ingested microbes. In contrast, a weak acid like vinegar or acetic acid does not ionize completely but does release some hydrogen ions that can break bonds between cells in a process akin to hydrolysis, where bonds are disrupted by the addition of a water molecule.

User Nguaman
by
9.0k points