Buffers in the Body

Question 1

what pH is plasma maintained at?

Answer 1

7.35 to 7.45

Question 2

how is the pH of blood plasma maintained?

Answer 2

• a buffer system
• carbonic acid, H2CO3 and its conjugate base hydrogencarbonate, HCO3-

Question 3

how does blood plasma change on addition to acid?

Answer 3

• [H+] increases
• H+ ions reaction with hydrogen carbonate ions
• this causes equilibrium position to shift left to remove most of the H+ ions

Question 4

how does blood plasma change on addition to bases?

Answer 4

• [OH-] increases
• OH- reacts withe the small concentration of H+ ions
• equilibrium position shifts right to retire most of the H+ ions