Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

2. Water

Buffer Solution

Biochemistry

2. Water

Buffer Solution

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains how proteins and amino acids influence body pH?

They only influence pH in the presence of strong acids.

They act as buffers by accepting or donating protons (H^+) to resist changes in pH.

They have no effect on body pH because they are neutral molecules.

They increase the acidity of body fluids by releasing large amounts of H^+.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of pH: pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration (H⁺) in a solution. A lower pH indicates higher acidity, while a higher pH indicates higher alkalinity.

Recognize the role of proteins and amino acids as buffers: Proteins and amino acids can act as buffers because they contain functional groups that can accept or donate protons (H⁺). This helps resist changes in pH.

Identify the functional groups involved: Amino acids have an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). The amino group can accept a proton (H⁺) to become -NH₃⁺, while the carboxyl group can donate a proton to become -COO⁻. These reversible reactions allow amino acids to stabilize pH changes.

Consider the physiological importance: In the body, proteins and amino acids help maintain pH homeostasis, especially in blood and cellular environments, by acting as buffers. This is crucial for enzyme function and metabolic processes.

Eliminate incorrect options: Proteins and amino acids do not only influence pH in the presence of strong acids, nor are they neutral molecules with no effect on pH. They also do not increase acidity by releasing large amounts of H⁺. The correct explanation is that they act as buffers by accepting or donating protons to resist changes in pH.