Chapter Thirty-Four

Acids and Bases

Many important reactions in chemical and biological systems involve acids and bases (defined below). Acids and bases cause color changes in certain compounds called indicators, which may be in solution or on paper. A particularly common indicator is litmus paper, which turns red in acidic solution and blue in basic solution. A more extensive discussion of the chemical properties of acids and bases is outlined below.

Table 34.1

Acids	Bases
Have a sour taste. Aqueous solutions can conduct electricity. React with bases to form water and a salt. Nonoxidizing acids react with metals to produce hydrogen gas. Cause color changes in plant dyes—turn litmus paper red.	Have a bitter taste. Aqueous solutions can conduct electricity. React with acids to form water and a salt. Feel slippery to the touch. Cause color changes in plant dyes—turn litmus paper blue