Ammonia physiological properties

The chemical properties partly resemble those of white, partly those of red, phosphorus. It does not glow in the air, but does so in ozone. It is rapidly attacked by alkalies, giving hypophosphite and phosphine which is not spontaneously inflammable. It is coloured intensely black by ammonia. It dissolves in aqueous alcoholic potash giving red solutions from which acids precipitate a mixture of phosphorus and solid hydride. It dissolves in phosphorus tribromide to the extent of about 0-5 gram in 100 grams of the solvent at about 200° C. It is said to be non-poisonous its physiological properties probably resemble those of red phosphorus (q.v.). 

In summary, there appears to be evidence for both mechanisms of NH3/NH4 transport in bacterial cells. Passive difiFusion of NH3 would not generally lead to net accumulation by cells with an alkaline interior pH relative to the medium pH. Passive diffusion would be rate-limited by the low level of NH3 available at physiological pH and by the solubility properties of the cell membrane. NH4 active transport would be required for net ammonium uptake. However, net nitrogen accumulation could be accomplished by rapid assimilation of internal ammonia into amino acids. Net accumulation might be limited by the balance of the two processes uptake by active transport vs. loss by passive diffusion. 

Special precautions are necessary in the handling of certain hazardous liquefied compressed gases, particularly the following butadiene (inhibited), vinyl chloride, anhydrous ammonia, LP-gases, chlorine, methyl chloride, sulfur dioxide, and the fluorinated hydrocarbons. For specific information on the physical and chemical properties of liquefied compressed gases, physiological ef-... 

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