Task 2 23laslots Date due: Signature Date: AC 3.1 Explain the conce involved in

Question

Task 2 23laslots Date due: Signature Date: AC 3.1 Explain the conce involved in biological systems. pts a nd importance of pH and buffer, and evaluate how these are Blood pH Levels AcidosisNormal pH Alkalosis 7 9 7.8 6 7.35 7.45 (a) In body tissue HCO, Blood capillary Body tissue This task requires you to engage in independent study on pH and buffers a findings. 1. Referring to pH explain what is meant by a Buffer system. , In the functioning of an organ system you have previously studied summarise the role of and importance gf buffers. uate at least lwo buffer systems. Also include the first and second lines of d rapid and slower responses to changes in pH. Place your ev aluation in a table

Explanation / Answer

A buffer is a mixture of molecules that release or bind H+ in order to maintain a relatively stable pH. Note that the function of a buffer is NOT to keep a solution neutral (at pH 7); its function is to minimize the change in pH when base or acid is added to the solution. Also note that there are many different buffers, and each one will stabilize the pH of a solution only within a specific pH range. One buffer may be effective within a range of pH 2 to pH 6, while another may be effective within a range of pH 10 to pH 12. Beyond its buffering range, a buffer no longer acts to stabilize the pH of the solution.

Buffers are extremely important to living organisms because most biochemical processes proceed normally only when the pH remains within a fairly narrow range. An excess of H+ or OH- can interfere with the structure and activity of many biomolecules, especially proteins. Therefore, buffers are commonly used in living organisms to help maintain a relatively stable pH. In humans, for example, buffers act to maintain blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45 even though acids and bases are continually being added to and removed from the blood as it travels through the body. The 3 main buffer systems in our bodies are the bicarbonate buffer system, the phosphate buffer system, and the protein buffer system.

In the laboratory, molecular and cellular biologists make extensive use of buffers to stabilize the pH of aqueous solutions. When studying biomolecules in a test tube, the biomolecules may be altered or may behave in ways that are uncharacteristic of their natural behavior if they are in a solution with a pH that is significantly different from the pH of their natural environment.

Biological Importance of Buffers

Buffer solutions are solutions in water that mark the combination of acids and bases. They help in a neutralization reaction to a certain extent. Acidic buffer solutions are those that have strong acids and weak bases as their components. They are used for neutralizing alkaline solutions. Alkaline or basic buffer solutions are those that have strong alkalis and weak acids in the mixture. They are used for neutralizing acidic aqueous solutions.

Blood itself tends to be a buffer solution by keeping its pH value constant. Buffer solutions help in the adjustment of the nature of blood. They play a major role in the anatomy of every human being. If the alkaline nature of blood increases, buffer solutions tend to bring down the pH value of blood. The reverse happens if blood becomes acidic. Acidic nature increases the pH value of blood.

Role of Buffers in Human Body

Reactions inside the human body take place in the blood plasma. These reactions might fail to happen if the pH changes. For complete reaction to take place, the pH of the blood should remain constant. Biochemical reactions are quite sensitive to the nature of blood. The reaction inverts by changes in the pH of blood. However, these buffers generally prevent such mishap. These changes also affect the biological activity of a human being.

If the pH value of blood remains in either alkaline or acidic form then it could prove harmful to a human being. It may even lead to death. This may prevent the working of some organs also. This serves to be the best example as to why buffer solutions are important for the body. Buffer solutions prevent the body from permanent damage.

When carbon dioxide dissolves in blood, it decreases the pH value, thereby increasing the acidic content of blood. In this case, alkaline buffers come into play. They tend to mix with the plasma of blood and then neutralize its value. The same happens in the plasma when the alkaline value of blood increases. In this case, acidic buffers in the blood plasma play their role. If the alkalinity or the acidity of blood pertains for a longer period, the body gets into a hazardous state, which if left unaddressed, can prove fatal.

Without buffer solutions, our body may undergo a lot of changes. The enzyme action is regulated by blood. Therefore, the change of pH value also affects the enzymes indirectly. Enzyme actions require low energy involvement. Changes in the temperature of the body can affect enzyme action to a wider range.

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