Define pH. The pH range of blood is from 7.35 to 7.45. Circle the correct answer to complete the sentence: This is slightly (acidic / basic).
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Step 1: Define pH. pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration ([H⁺]) in a solution, indicating its acidity or basicity. It is calculated using the formula: pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]. A pH of 7 is neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic.
Step 2: Understand the pH range of blood. The normal pH range of blood is from 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly above 7, indicating it is not neutral but slightly basic.
Step 3: Compare the blood pH range to the neutral pH value of 7. Since the blood pH range is greater than 7, it falls into the basic category.
Step 4: Circle the correct answer in the sentence provided. Based on the analysis, the correct answer is 'basic.'
Step 5: Review the importance of maintaining blood pH within this range. Blood pH is tightly regulated because deviations can disrupt enzyme function and cellular processes, leading to health issues such as acidosis or alkalosis.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
pH Definition
pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, quantified on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate basicity. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration.
The normal pH range of human blood is between 7.35 and 7.45, which is slightly basic. Maintaining this narrow range is crucial for proper physiological function, as deviations can lead to acidosis (low pH) or alkalosis (high pH), both of which can have serious health implications.
A solution is classified as acidic if it has a pH less than 7 and basic if it has a pH greater than 7. Since the blood pH range is slightly above 7, it is considered basic. Understanding this distinction is essential for interpreting the physiological state of the body and its metabolic processes.