Buffer Solutions in Medical Chemistry

What is the primary function of a buffer solution?

What happens to the pH of a solution when a small amount of acid or base is added to a buffer solution?

Which of the following is a characteristic of a buffer solution?

What would happen if the pH of the blood goes slightly above or below 7.4?

Which of the following pairs of compounds would make a buffer solution?

What is the condition called when the CO2 level decreases in the blood?

What is the main role of buffers in the body?

Which of the following is a consequence of a buffer solution's ability to neutralize small amounts of added acid or base?

What is the significance of a stable pH in biological systems?

Which of the following is a characteristic of blood buffers?

Buffer Solutions

A buffer is a solution that can resist pH change upon the addition of an acidic or basic component, maintaining a relatively stable pH.
Buffers neutralize small amounts of added acid or base, making them important for processes and/or reactions that require specific and stable pH ranges.
In contrast, the pH of water and most solutions changes drastically with the addition of a small amount of acid or base.

Characteristics of Buffer Solutions

Buffer solutions maintain pH by neutralizing small amounts of added acid or base.
Buffers may contain a weak base and a salt containing its conjugate acid.
Examples of buffers include those found in blood, which maintain a consistent pH of about 7.4.

Importance of pH Regulation in the Body

The body obtains acids and bases from foods and cellular reactions, but buffers absorb these compounds effectively, keeping the blood pH essentially unchanged.
Even slight changes in blood pH (above or below 7.4) can lead to drastic changes in oxygen levels and metabolic processes, which can be fatal.

Sample Problem: Identifying Buffer Solutions

A buffer solution can be formed by combining a weak base and a salt containing its conjugate acid, such as KOH and KCl.

Acid-Base Imbalance

Acidosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in CO2 levels, leading to a low blood pH.
Alkalosis, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by an increase in CO2 levels, leading to a high blood pH.

This quiz covers the concept of buffer solutions, their ability to resist pH changes, and their importance in maintaining specific pH ranges for chemical reactions and processes.