Question

Which acid is present in the stinging hair of nettle leafs?

Answer 1

Hint: It is the simplest carboxylic acid and it is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notable in ants. It appears as a colorless liquid with a pungent odor.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us first know about nettle leafs.
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a common plant that primarily grows in damp, fertile soil. The nettle has sharp hairs on its leaves. These hairs contain chemicals, such as formic acid and histamine that can irritate the skin and cause stinging, itching and redness. Stinging nettle hairs also contain a range of other chemicals that can affect humans, including acetylcholine and serotonin.
Formic acid is the acid present in the stinging hair of nettle leafs. But as they contain histamine and other chemicals, it is the histamine that causes the initial reaction when you are stung. The dock leaves contain a natural antihistamine, which prevents histamine in the venom from producing inflammation and pain.
Therefore, formic acid is present in the stinging hair of nettle leafs.

Note: The dock leaves actually help relieve a nettle sting because rubbing vigorously releases moist sap from the leaves which has a cooling, smoothing effect on the skin i.e. neutralizes the acidic compounds in the nettle sting.