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12 grade chemistry others

The acid present in the body of red ant is ______.

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1 Year agoGrade
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
1 Year ago

The acid present in the body of a red ant is formic acid (also known as methanoic acid).

Explanation:
Red ants contain formic acid in their venom, which they inject when they bite or sting. This acid causes the characteristic burning sensation. The name "formic acid" is derived from the Latin word "formica," meaning ant, because it was first isolated from ants in the 17th century.

In chemical terms, formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid with the formula HCOOH. It is commonly found in nature and is used by various insects, including ants and bees, as a defense mechanism.