Concept explainers
To explain: The important role buffers play in organisms.
Introduction: Substances have different properties due to their varying chemical nature. On the basis of chemical nature, substances are categorized as acidic, basic, or neutral. The pH is defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution which is expressed in moles per liter. The neutral solutions have same concentration of H+ and OH-. The neutral solution (10-7 mol/L) has a pH of seven. The pH value of base (alkali) is greater than 7. The pH value of acid is less than 7.
To explain: What prevents a strong acid and strong base from working as a buffer.
Introduction: Substances have different properties due to their varying chemical nature. On the basis of chemical nature, substances are categorized as acidic, basic, or neutral. The pH is defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration of a solution which is expressed in moles per liter. The neutral solutions have same concentration of H+ and OH-. The neutral solution (10-7 mol/L) has a pH of seven. The pH value of base (alkali) is greater than 7. The pH value of acid is less than 7.
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Biology (MindTap Course List)
- How does buffer work to moderate pH in a systemarrow_forwardBased on the information in Table 3.2, is there any amino acid that could serve as a buffer at pH 8? If so, which one?arrow_forwardWhat is the effect of adding a small amount of a strong acid or strong base to the acidity of a buffer? How would this compare to an unbuffered solution of the same acidity?arrow_forward
- We usually say that a perfect buffer has its pH equal to its pKa. Give an example of a situation in which it would be advantageous to have a buffer with a pH 0.5 unit higher than its pKa.arrow_forwardWhat is NOT TRUE about buffers ?arrow_forwardTo minimize the sharp pH shift that occurs when a strong acid is added to a solution, is it better to add a weak base or a strong base? Why?arrow_forward
- Buffers also exist in biological systems. Discuss the composition and function of one example of a biological buffer.arrow_forwardDescribe how buffers are important to living organisms.arrow_forwardDefine pH scale, acid, base, and buffer. How do buffers reduce changes in pH when hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions are added to a solution? Why is this phenomenon important in organisms?arrow_forward
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