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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Freehorn on January 14, 2013, 06:38:29 PM

Title: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Freehorn on January 14, 2013, 06:38:29 PM
What are some examples of precipitates in the human body? Any help is appreciated
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Arkcon on January 14, 2013, 06:44:37 PM
Well, since you asked for ANY help at all, I'd like to ask you to define precipitate, and then try to suggest some that you can "see", in a human body.  Presumably you have one of those, handy, and can offer a guess?
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Freehorn on January 14, 2013, 06:47:48 PM
By precipitate i mean an insoluble compound formed in a solution from two soluble compounds. In a double replacement reaction
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Arkcon on January 14, 2013, 06:50:59 PM
So that's the definition you're working with -- OK.  Now, what part of your body (I've made the assumption that you have one, correct me if I'm wrong) would you definition apply to?
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Freehorn on January 14, 2013, 06:53:44 PM
Any! Thats my question. I have to write a paper on it and i cannot find any examples or info.
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Arkcon on January 14, 2013, 07:05:01 PM
Your body is 80 % water, what parts appear to be significantly not full of water?
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Babcock_Hall on January 14, 2013, 07:35:21 PM
Freehorn,

At least one precipitate I can think of is beneficial, and at least two I can think of are undesirable and both associated with the same organ.
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Borek on January 15, 2013, 04:08:24 AM
What is a state of matter of a typical precipitate?
Title: Re: Precipitates in the body
Post by: Babcock_Hall on January 15, 2013, 06:25:59 PM
Freehorn,

The organ I had in mind was the kidney.  One of the precipitates I mentioned derives from ethylene glycol, which is found in antifreeze.