Dictionary of Biological Psychology
(from Latin, acidus: sour) The term acid has multiple meanings. The more relevant scientific uses are: (1) in respect of taste (see TASTE PERCEPTION), acid means sour or sharp, as the etymology suggests. (2) In biology and chemistry, an acid is a substance that increases the hydrogen ION (H+) content of a solution.
In water, hydrochloric acid (HCl), for example, dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and CHLORIDE ions (Cl−) (see Campbell, Reece & Mitchell, 1999). (3) In the language of the street ‘acid’ refers to the dangerous HALLUCINOGEN LSD (LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE),
See also: alkali; amino acids; base; neurotransmitters; pH
References
Campbell N.A., Reece J.B. & Mitchell L.G. (1999) Biology, 5th edn, Addison-Wesley: Menlo Park CA.
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