5. Explain Acids, Bases And Buffers Flashcards
What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are substances that releases ions in water.
What are acids?
Acids are electrolytes that release hydrogen ions in water.
For example: Hydrochloride acid is made of hydrogen and chloride ions.
What are bases?
These are electrolytes that release ions that bond with hydrogen ions.
Example: Sodium Hydroxide, made up of sodium, oxygen and hydrogen ions.
What do body fluid concentrations of hydrogen & hydroxide ions do?
They greatly affect chemical reactions.
What do these chemical reactions do?
The chemical reactions control physiological functions such as blood pressure and breathing rates.
What are Buffers?
These are chemicals that resist pH changes.
What do buffers do when the acid levels are high, that is to say there is excessive hydrogen ions?
The buffers combine with hydrogen.
What occurs when there is low hydrogen ions, or bases are high?
Buffers will contribute hydrogen ions.
Example: Sodium bicarbonate is a buffer.
Why is the control of pH levels important?
Certain metabolic reactions in the body can only function within a narrow pH ranges.
As buffering systems will maintain normal pH values within the body, they do this how?
Chemical substances that neutralises small amount of acids or bases when added to solution.
