E5 buffers

Question 1

What are buffers?

Answer 1

resist changes to pH on the addition of further acid or base

Question 2

What is the role of buffering in blood plasma?

Answer 2

large amounts of acid products produced from metabolism
acid reacts with bicarbonate to form carbonic acid
carbonic acid dissociates into CO2 which is lost via lungs
pH therefore maintained as loss of bicarb is accompanied by loss of carbonic acid