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Chemistry / Death of amino acids: how can amino acids be broken up, chemically?

« on: 29/06/2012 18:11:41 »

I asked the question earlier about what forces can break atomic bonds. I am ultimately trying to determine what can break the bonds of atoms , that make up the various essential amino acids (including bonds in R groups etc). Some folk curiously feel that amino acids are the most impervious, stable molecules/compounds on earth. I say leave that honor to diamonds (?).
  As i understand it, all it takes is for any one bond to "break free" from the collective if you will, for that particular amino acid, threonine say, to no longer be threonine.
  The trick part of the non trick question, is how can we break any of these bonds OUTSIDE of the human body's synthesis dynamics?
                                                                                                                                                                     Thanx  Oliver

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Chemistry / What are the forces that can break atoms apart from each other?

« on: 29/06/2012 16:07:02 »

Hi Guy's (and by guy's I mean guys and dolls:)
 I am trying to figure out what things (forces, anti-forces?) can break, or undue the electromagnetic forces that bring  atoms together to make molecules. Is there only one type of force (magnetic?) - if so what can undo that force as well. These bonds of atoms, whether they be covalent or ionic or any other kind, can they be broken, undone etc and how so? Thank you all for helping out.
                                                                                                                                                           Oliver