Enzyme action as bearing on the validity of the ionic-dissociation hypothesis and on the phenomena of vital change.

Abstract

On several occasions of late years, I have protested against the dogmatic attitude assumed by the advocates of the ionic-dissociation hypothesis of chemical change and have remarked on the danger of allowing a purely mathematical treatment to supersede a careful, unbiassed consideration of the facts as these present themselves to the chemist. I have insisted on the limited application of the hypothesis —especially in explanation of the behaviour of the large majority of organic compounds; and have contended that an association hypothesis is preferable and of far wider application: yet, in so doing, I have always recognised that the dissociation hypothesis is often susceptible of numerical treatment in a way which places it at a great advantage.