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What is heavy water ? although it resembles water chemically ; yet it is toxic - EXPLAIN
What is heavy water ? although it resembles water chemically ; yet it is toxic - EXPLAIN
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Solution
Heavy water contain either one or both the hydrogen atoms in water replaced by deuterium, which is also known as heavy hydrogen due to presence of a neutron in its nucleus.
It is represented as D2O, where D is Deuterium .
Biological system of body depends on the action of enzymes. Functions of enzymes rely on there fine network of H bonds i.e. for catalyzing any biological reaction, enzyme form H bonding with the molecules participating in the reaction.
H bond formed by heavy water is much stronger than the H- bonds of water and this disturbs the enzymatic action in the body and cause toxic effects.
Heavy water contain either one or both the hydrogen atoms in water replaced by deuterium, which is also known as heavy hydrogen due to presence of a neutron in its nucleus.
It is represented as D2O, where D is Deuterium .
Biological system of body depends on the action of enzymes. Functions of enzymes rely on there fine network of H bonds i.e. for catalyzing any biological reaction, enzyme form H bonding with the molecules participating in the reaction.
H bond formed by heavy water is much stronger than the H- bonds of water and this disturbs the enzymatic action in the body and cause toxic effects.
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