Acids And Bases

Question 1

Carbonic acid is a weak acid buffer. What is the chemical symbol for this?

Answer 1

H2CO3

Question 2

Bicarbonate is a weak base buffer. What is the chemical symbol?

Answer 2

HCO3-

Question 3

What is the chemical equation for the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer? And which direction does the equation go if there is excess acid (H+) in the blood.

Answer 3

H2CO3 <> H+ + HCO3-

The equation speeds up in the reverse direction to use up the hydrogen ions and to prevent acidosis

Question 4

Definition of an acid?

Answer 4

Hydrogen containing compounds that release H+ ions when dissolved in water (eg. HCl)

Question 5

How do we maintain acid base balance?

Answer 5

Buffering of acids - buffers resist large changes in pH by releasing H+ ions when the pH begins to rise and binding H+ when the pH begins to drop

Excretion of acids and bases (via lungs and kidneys)