The missing hydrogen ion, part-2: Where the evidence leads to

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Cellular Metabolism

Background:

• Commonly accepted cellular metabolism models propose the production of metabolic acids, such as lactic acid (HLa).
• These models often overlook the chemical properties of molecules involved in energy catabolism.
• Existing viewpoints require re-evaluation based on fundamental chemical principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present evidence refuting the cellular production of metabolic acids.
• To challenge the conventional understanding of lactic acid (HLa) and liver keto-acid production in cells.
• To provide an alternative chemical perspective on cellular energy metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of organic chemistry principles governing functional groups in metabolic molecules.
• Examination of the ionic state of molecules like carboxyl and phosphoryl structures.
• Review of industrial lactic acid (La-) production processes and their chemical transformations.
• Comparison of acid dissociation constants (pKd) for various metabolic molecules.

Main Results:

• Metabolic molecules with acidic functional groups are produced in non-acidic, ionic forms, preventing H+ release.
• Industrial lactic acid (HLa) production involves an acidification step after lactate (La-) formation.
• Other organic acids with similar pKd values to HLa have higher metabolic turnover rates.
• The prevailing theory of cellular HLa production lacks empirical chemical support.

Conclusions:

• Cells do not produce metabolic acids; molecules exist in their ionic forms.
• The construct of cellular lactic acid (HLa) production is non-empirical.
• A revised understanding of cellular metabolism is needed, based on chemical realities rather than assumptions.