03 - Biological Buffers And Transport Flashcards
What is an acid?
A chemical substance that can donate a hydrogen ion
What is a base?
A chemical substance that can accept a hydrogen ion
What is true about a strong acid?
It completely dissociates or ionises in solution
What is true about a weak acid?
It partially dissociates or ionises in solution
What is an acid base buffer?
A solution consisting of two or more chemical compounds that resist large changes in hydrogen ion concentration when either an acid or base is added to the solution
What does a buffer have the ability to do?
Bind or release protons in solution, thereby keeping the pH of the solution relatively constant
What is the normal plasma pH range?
7.35 - 7.45
When does acidosis occur?
When pH falls below 7.35
When does alkalois occur?
When ph rises above 7.45
What do acid base buffer systems immediately combine with?
Any acid or alkali
What is the major buffering system in extracellular fluid?
The bicarbonate system buffer
What is an important buffering system in both intracellular and extracellular fluids
The protein buffer system
What is the important buffering system in intracellular fluid and major buffer in urine?
Phosphate buffer system
What organ/ organism does this… excretes acid or alkaline urine which enables changes to be made by the … in response to alterations in plasma pH
Kidneys
What is the bicarbonate buffer system made of?
Weak acid, carbonic acid and its conjugate base , the bicarbonate ion
