Question

What will happen if (a) Bone is dipped in hydrochloric acid (HCI); (b) Bone is dried?

Answer 1

(a) A bone that is dipped into hydrochloric acid will gradually lose its inorganic matter and become soft and brittle. The bone, however, does not melt because it also has organic component such as collagen that make up the bone matrix.

(b) The drying of a bone will destroy its organic matter, but its mineral matter will not be effected.