Aspirin is a weak acid with a pKa of 3.5 (the ionizable H is shown in red):It is absorbed into the blood through the cells lining the stomach and the small intestine. Absorption requires passage through the plasma membrane, the rate of which is determined by the polarity of the molecule: charged and highly polar molecules pass slowly, whereas neutral hydrophobic ones pass rapidly. The pH of the stomach contents is about 1.5, and the pH of the contents of the small intestine is about 6. Is more aspirin absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach or from the small intestine? Clearly justify your choice.

Then try StudyFetch, the AI-powered platform that can answer your questions and teach you more about it!