Chapter 14, Problem 35QAP

Blood is buffered mainly by the ${\text{HCO}}_3{}^{-}-{\text{H}}_2{\text{CO}}_3$ buffer system. The normal pH of blood is 7.40.

(a) Calculate the $\left[{\text{H}}_2{\text{CO}}_3\right]/\left[{\text{HCO}}_3{}^{-}\right]$ ratio.

(b) What does the pH become if 15% of the ${\text{HCO}}_3{}^{-}$ ions are converted to ${\text{H}}_2{\text{CO}}_3$?

(c) What does the pH become if 15% of the ${\text{H}}_2{\text{CO}}_3$ molecules converted to ${\text{HCO}}_3{}^{-}$ ions?