Textbook Question
The biggest source of metabolic acids in the body is:
a. Lactic acid
b. Ketone bodies
c. Carbon dioxide
d. Uric acid
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Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology26
- Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life38
- Ch. 3 The Cell55
- Ch. 4 Histology47
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System30
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Tissue36
- Ch. 7 The Skeletal System40
- Ch. 8 Articulations19
- Ch. 9 The Muscular System36
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology29
- Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue28
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System42
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System41
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis31
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses39
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System42
- Ch. 17 The Cardiovascular System I: The Heart30
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System II: The Blood Vessels43
- Ch. 19 Blood32
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity45
- Ch. 21 The Respiratory System27
- Ch. 22 The Digestive System27
- Ch. 23 Metabolism and Nutrition7
- Ch. 24 The Urinary System39
- Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis39
- Ch. 26 The Reproductive System10
- Ch. 27 Development and Heredity5
Chapter 25, Problem 13
Explain what happens to the pH of a buffered solution when hydrogen ions are added. Why does this happen?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of a buffer: A buffer is a solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of an acid (H⁺ ions) or a base (OH⁻ ions) are added. It typically consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
Recognize the role of hydrogen ions (H⁺): When hydrogen ions are added to a buffered solution, they interact with the conjugate base present in the buffer system. The conjugate base reacts with the H⁺ ions to form the weak acid, thereby reducing the free H⁺ concentration in the solution.
Write the chemical reaction: For example, in an acetic acid buffer system (CH₃COOH/CH₃COO⁻), the reaction would be:
Explain why the pH change is minimal: The buffer system minimizes the change in pH because the added H⁺ ions are 'absorbed' by the conjugate base, forming the weak acid. This prevents a significant increase in the concentration of free H⁺ ions, which would otherwise lower the pH drastically.
Conclude with the buffering capacity: The ability of the buffer to resist pH changes depends on the concentration of the weak acid and its conjugate base. If too many H⁺ ions are added, the buffer may become overwhelmed, and the pH will change more significantly.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Buffered Solution
A buffered solution is a system that resists changes in pH when small amounts of an acid or base are added. It typically consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. This equilibrium allows the buffer to neutralize added hydrogen ions (H+) or hydroxide ions (OH-), maintaining a relatively stable pH.
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05:38
Buffers
pH Scale
The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while values below 7 indicate acidity and above 7 indicate alkalinity. The pH is logarithmically related to the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, meaning that even small changes in H+ concentration can significantly affect pH.
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07:58pH Scale
Le Chatelier's Principle
Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the system will adjust to counteract the change and restore a new equilibrium. In the context of a buffered solution, when hydrogen ions are added, the buffer components react to minimize the change in pH, thus maintaining the solution's stability.
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3:49Glomerular Filtration Pressure
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following mechanisms is/are used by the kidneys to regulate the pH of the blood? Circle all that apply.
a. Hydrogen ions are secreted from the proximal and distal tubules and the collecting system.
b. Hydrogen ions are reabsorbed from the nephron loop.
c. New bicarbonate ions are formed from glutamine and carbon dioxide in the interstitial fluid that enters proximal tubule cells.
d. Bicarbonate ions can be secreted.
e. Bicarbonate ions are reabsorbed directly from the filtrate.
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Textbook Question
An increase in ventilation ________ the pH of the blood due to a/an ________ of carbon dioxide in the blood. A decrease in ventilation ________ the pH of the blood due to a/an ________ of carbon dioxide in the blood.
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Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
e. Chloride ions are generally reabsorbed from the kidneys, along with bicarbonate ions.
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Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
a. Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation.
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Textbook Question
What is the main buffer system of the ECF?
a. Protein buffer system
b. Carbonic acid–bicarbonate ion buffer system
c. Phosphate buffer system
d. None of the above
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