Acids, Bases & pH Flashcards
Explain the importance of water in biological systems
It is the medium in which most biological reactions take place
Describe water’s special properties
It is a polar molecule which allows: • High solubility • Creates solutions • Reactivity • High heat capacity • Lubrication abilities
Define molarity
Is the amount of a substance in a certain volume of solution. More specifically the moles of a solute per liters of a solution
Explain acids, bases and buffers
When dissolved in water, these compounds dissociate or separate into ions which produce a solutions containing separate ions surrounded by water molecules
What do acids do?
An acid dissociates into hydrogen ions known as a proton donor which lowers pH - increases acidity
What do bases do?
Bases dissociate into hydroxide ions known as a proton acceptor which raises pH – decreases acidity
What do buffers do?
Adjust the pH of a solution by either remove or add hydrogen ions
Each point on the scale represents what
A ten-fold difference in hydrogen ion concentration
Each point on the scale represents what
A ten-fold difference in hydrogen ion concentration
How does the body uses buffers?
Buffers in body fluids maintain pH and therefore contribute to homeostasis by keeping the pH of blood between 7.35 – 7.45
A major buffering system in the body is what?
Carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system
