balance
Noor Ullah
M.Phil, Biochemistry& Mol.Biology
Lecturer IPMS, KMU
3/17/17 1
Ionization of water, weak acids and bases
Although many of the solvent properties of water can be explained
in terms of the uncharged H2O molecules, the small degree of
ionization of water molecules to hydrogen ions ions (H+) and
hydroxide ions (OH ) must also be taken into account.
Like all reversible reactions, the ionization of water can be
described by an equilibrium constant.
When weak acids or weak bases are dissolved in water, they can
contribute (H+ )by ionizing (if acids) or consume (H + )by
being protonated (if bases).
These processes are also governed by equilibrium constants.
The total hydrogen ion concentration from all sources,
which is experimentally measurable, is expressed as the
pH of the solution.
Ionization of water
Water molecules have a slight tendency to undergo
reversible ionization to yield a hydrogen ion and
a hydroxide ion.
A buffer works best in the middle of its range, where the amount of
undissociated acid is about equal to the amount of the conjugate
base.
One can soak up excess protons (acid), the other can soak up excess
hydroxide (base).
Blood Buffer Systems
Why necessary?
Binds CO2
.Changes in the rate and depth of breathing can alter pH of body fluids
within minutes
Negative feedback loop
2. Physiological buffer system
2. Renal mechanism- Kidney excretion of H +
Intercalated cells of collecting duct include proton pumps that secrete H + into
Severe dehydration
HA H + A +
Henderson-Hasselbalch
Equation
On rearrangement we have the Ka expression: