FREE BASES Meaning and
Definition
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Free bases refer to molecules, specifically organic compounds, that have a basic or alkaline nature due to the presence of amino groups. In chemistry, a free base can be defined as a chemical substance that has the ability to accept a proton (H+) from an acid to form a neutral compound. Free bases are typically derived from weak bases that have the ability to dissociate and release hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. This dissociation allows the base to combine with protons in an acid-base reaction.
In biological systems, free bases are often associated with nucleotides. Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, and they contain nitrogenous bases that can exist in either a free base or a hydrogen-bonded form. Free bases in nucleotide molecules refer to the unprotonated forms (without hydrogen bonds) of the nitrogenous bases, including adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil.
Furthermore, free bases can also be crucial in the field of pharmacology. Many drugs act as bases and require a free base form to be pharmacologically active. In these cases, the free base form of a drug is typically more lipid-soluble and better able to cross cell membranes, allowing it to interact with specific receptors or targets within the body.
Overall, free bases are chemical compounds with basic properties that can accept protons, and they play important roles in various fields, including organic chemistry, biology, and pharmacology.
Common Misspellings for FREE BASES
- free-base
- free-baes
- dree bases
- cree bases
- vree bases
- gree bases
- tree bases
- rree bases
- feee bases
- fdee bases
- ffee bases
- ftee bases
- f5ee bases
- f4ee bases
- frwe bases
- frse bases
- frde bases
- frre bases
- fr4e bases
- fr3e bases
Etymology of FREE BASES
The term "free bases" is derived from two separate words, "free" and "bases", each having its own etymology.
1. "Free": This word originates from the Old English word "freo" meaning "not in bondage, acting of one's own accord, having personal rights". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "frijaz" meaning "beloved, dear" and has cognates in other Germanic languages such as German "frei" and Dutch "vrij". The English word "free" has the same root as the Sanskrit word "priya" meaning "dear, beloved".
2. "Bases": The word "bases" is the plural form of the word "base", which has multiple meanings and origins. In the context of "free bases", it refers to a chemical compound in the field of chemistry.
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