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Buffers Biochemistry

A buffer resists pH change upon addition of acids or bases by neutralizing small amounts added. There are several important buffer systems in the body that maintain pH, including the bicarbonate buffer system, hemoglobin buffer system, phosphate buffer system, protein buffers, and ammonium buffer system. These physiological buffers maintain stable pH ranges required for bodily processes and reactions.

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160 views11 pages

Buffers Biochemistry

A buffer resists pH change upon addition of acids or bases by neutralizing small amounts added. There are several important buffer systems in the body that maintain pH, including the bicarbonate buffer system, hemoglobin buffer system, phosphate buffer system, protein buffers, and ammonium buffer system. These physiological buffers maintain stable pH ranges required for bodily processes and reactions.

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airheadguy819
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BUFFER

A buffer is a solution that can resist pH


change upon the addition of an acidic
or basic components. It is able to
neutralize small amounts of added
acid or base, thus maintaining the pH
of the solution relatively stable. This is
important for processes and/or
reactions which require specific and
stable pH ranges.
Physiological buffers
Physiological buffers are
chemicals used by the body
to prevent large changes in
the pH of a bodily fluid.
There are several buffer systems in
the body.

The most important include: (1)


bicarbonate buffer (HCO3–/CO2), (2)
haemoglobin buffer (in erythrocytes),
(3) phosphate buffer, (4) proteins,
and (5) ammonium buffer. Their
importance differs as it depends on
localization.
1.The bicarbonate buffer system
plays a vital role in other tissues as
well. In the human stomach and
duodenum, the bicarbonate buffer
system serves to both neutralize
gastric acid and stabilize the
intracellular pH of epithelial cells
via the secretion of bicarbonate
ion into the gastric mucosa
 When the pH of the blood starts to get too high (more H+
ions are needed), the body will combine more oxygen and
carbon dioxide molecules to form more carbonic acid. The
carbonic acid will donate a H+ ion and become the
bicarbonate ion, HCO3-. The increase in H+ ions will lower
the pH of the blood.
2.Hemoglobin is the principal protein
inside of red blood cells and accounts
for one-third of the mass of the cell.
During the conversion of CO2 into
bicarbonate, hydrogen ions liberated
in the reaction are buffered by
hemoglobin, which is reduced by the
dissociation of oxygen.
Phosphate buffer
Phosphate buffer is highly water
soluble and has a high buffering
capacity, but will inhibit enzymatic
activity and precipitates in ethanol.
The buffer is one of the most popular
currently used, and is commonly
employed in molecular and cell
biology, chemistry, and material
science, among many others.
Protein Buffers in Blood Plasma and Cells
Nearly all proteins can function as
buffers. Proteins are made up of amino
acids, which contain positively charged
amino groups and negatively charged
carboxyl groups. The charged regions
of these molecules can bind hydrogen
and hydroxyl ions, and thus function as
buffers.
Ammonium Chloride-Ammonia Buffer

 Ammonium Chloride-Ammonia Buffer, pH


10.1, Chem-Lab is an alkaline buffer
solution comprised of 57mL ammonia and
6.75g of its salt ammonium chloride per
liter of aqueous solvent. This buffer
solution helps to maintain an alkaline pH
level.

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