Ammonia (NH 3 ) is a weak base that under acidic conditions becomes protonated to the ammonium

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Ammonia (NH3) is a weak base that under acidic conditions becomes protonated to the ammonium ion in the following reaction:

NH3 + H+ → NH4+

NHfreely permeates biological membranes, including those of lysosomes. The lysosome is a sub-cellular organelle with a pH of about 4.5-5.0; the pH of cytoplasm is - 7.0. What is the effect on the pH of the fluid content of lysosomes when cells are exposed to ammonia? Protonated ammonia does not diffuse freely across membranes.

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Molecular Cell Biology

ISBN: 978-1429234139

7th edition

Authors: Harvey Lodish, Arnold Berk, Chris A. Kaiser, Monty Krieger, Anthony Bretscher, Hidde Ploegh, Angelika Amon, Matthew P. Scott

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