The buffer system in human blood buffer is composed ofHCO3- and H2CO3. (TheKa for carbonic acid is 7.9 x 10 -7).
a. Please identify the acidic and basic component of thebuffer.
b. Please write the chemical equation that will happen whenadditional HCl is added into the buffer. (Hint: acids like to reactwith bases.)
c. Please write the chemical equation that will happen whenadditional NaOH is added into the buffer. (Hint: bases like toreact with acids.)
d. What is the effective buffer range?
e. In order for our body to function properly, the pH of bloodneeds to be maintained between 7.35-7.45. If the pH of the bufferis measured to be 7.40, what is the ratio betweenHCO3- and H2CO3?
f. If the concentration of HCO3- is 5times that of H2CO3, what is the pH of thebuffer?
