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 phrases best describes the protein buffer system?

Proteins buffer pH by forming insoluble precipitates with acids and bases.

Proteins buffer pH by catalyzing the breakdown of acids into water and carbon dioxide.

Proteins act as buffers by accepting or donating protons through their amino acid side chains.

Proteins buffer pH by directly neutralizing strong acids with their peptide bonds.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of a buffer system. A buffer system helps maintain pH stability by minimizing changes in hydrogen ion concentration (H⁺) when acids or bases are added to a solution.

Step 2: Recall the role of proteins in buffering. Proteins can act as buffers because their amino acid side chains contain functional groups that can accept or donate protons (H⁺), depending on the pH of the environment.

Step 3: Analyze the options provided. Evaluate each phrase to determine whether it accurately describes how proteins buffer pH. For example, proteins do not form insoluble precipitates or catalyze the breakdown of acids into water and carbon dioxide.

Step 4: Focus on the correct mechanism. Proteins buffer pH by utilizing the ionizable side chains of amino acids, such as the carboxyl (-COOH) and amino (-NH₂) groups, which can donate or accept protons to stabilize pH.

Step 5: Select the correct answer. Based on the explanation, the phrase 'Proteins act as buffers by accepting or donating protons through their amino acid side chains' best describes the protein buffer system.