Answered: Why do you think a weak acid/weak base…

Biochemistry

9th Edition

ISBN:9781319114671

Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.

Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.

Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1P

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. Why do you think a weak acid/weak base chemical buffer system is effective at regulating blood pH?

Expert Solution

Introduction-how buffers work

A buffer is an aqueous solution that prevents any change of pH when acids or bases are added. It is a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

A weak acid is one that rarely dissociates in water by giving up its proton.
A weak base is one that rarely takes up proton from water.

So, in a solution having both weak acid and weak base, the concentrations of both remain high as they do not react with water. But they may react with any strong acid or strong base if added.

When a strong base is added to such a buffer, the weak acid gives up its H+ and reacts with OH- of base to produce water and conjugate base. Thus, the added OH- is consumed and pH of the system remains unchanged.
When a strong acid is added, the weak base reacts with the strong acid's H+ and produces a weak acid, thus resisting pH change.

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