How Do Physicochemical Properties Affect Absorption?
The absorption of a substance into the body is heavily influenced by its physicochemical properties. For instance:
Solubility: Water-soluble substances are more readily absorbed through aqueous environments like the gastrointestinal tract, while lipid-soluble substances easily cross lipid-rich cell membranes. pKa: The ionization state of a substance, influenced by its pKa and the pH of the environment, affects its ability to cross cell membranes. Molecular Size: Smaller molecules generally diffuse more readily through biological membranes than larger ones.
