COLLOIDS AND ADSORPTION 35 



that happens in serological reactions such as agglutination 

 or precipitation. 



The strength of these polar forces falls off rapidly with 

 the distance from the polar groups, so that they are 

 effectively exerted only if the groups come into close 

 proximity. Unless the distribution of the groups in 

 different molecules corresponds closely, then, there will 

 be little tendency to adsorption. The application of this 

 idea to account for the sharp specificity of man}^ enzyme 

 reactions and of the serological reactions will become 

 obvious when these subjects are developed (Chapters IV 

 and XXIII). 



For further reading : — 



N. K. Adam, "The Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces." 3rd Edition, 

 Oxford University Press. London, 1941. 



E. r. Burton, " The Physical Properties of Colloidal Solutions." Mono- 

 graphs on Physics. Longmans, Green & Co. London, 1916. 



H. Freundlich, " Colloid and Capillary Chemistry." Methuen & Co. 

 London, 1926. 



E. Hatschek, " An Introduction to the Physics and Chemistry of Colloids." 

 Churchill. London, 1916. 



