Basic Chemistry - Acids and Bases Flashcards
1
Q
Why are acids and bases important?
A
They are found naturally in the human body and are required for important reactions
2
Q
What is acidosis?
A
Too much acid in the body which depresses the nervous system
3
Q
What is alkalosis?
A
Too much alkaline in the body, which over-excites the nervous system
4
Q
What is pH scale?
A
pH scale describes the amount of hydrogen in a solution and is an inverse scale. The lower the pH, the higher the concentration of hydrogen.
5
Q
Acidic solutions
A
- higher hydrogen H+ concentration
- lower pH
- 0-7
- 7 is neutral
6
Q
Alkaline solutions
A
- lower hydrogen H+ concentration
- higher pH
- 7-14
- 7 is neutral
7
Q
What is physiological pH?
A
7.4
8
Q
What are buffers?
A
Solutions that can accept reasonable additions of acids or bases without showing any marked change in pH
9
Q
How do buffer systems stabilise pH?
A
- remove or add free hydrogen ions
- convert strong acids to weak acids
- convert strong bases to weak bases
- carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system
10
Q
How is acid/base homeostasis maintained?
A
- respiratory system: carbon dioxide removed from the body by breathing
- urinary system: excess hydrogen may be excreted in urine and bicarbonate levels are regulated by the urinary system
