Taif University

College of Medicine Biochemistry

Department

Acids and Base

pH and Buffer Solutions

Prof. Dr. Mostafa Farag

1
.
 ILOs
Define acids & types
Define base and types
pH, definition, and its medical
.importance
Buffer, types and medical
.importance
?What Are Acids and Bases
.All these fruits and fruit drinks contain organic acids
Base: Is a proton (H+) acceptor, previously called
hydroxied (OH-) donor
Classification of bases: They are classified into:
1. Strong bases e.g. KOH, NaOH: Completely
dissociated even at high pH.

& Weak bases e.g., calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] .2

ammonium hydroxide: not dissociated completely
Strong acid An acid that
ionizes
completely in aqueous
solution
Weak acid An acid that is
only
partially ionized in aqueous
solution
Strong base A base that
 Self-ionization of water, Kw

• Water is amphoteric, which means that water can be

both an acid and a base. One water molecule acts as an
acid by donating H+ to another water molecule, which
acts as a base.

• At equilibrium the molarities for the hydronium ion and

hydroxide ion are equal. Square brackets are used to indicate the
concentrations in moles per liter (M).
 Self-ionization of water, Kw

• When these concentrations are multiplied, we

obtain the expression and value called the
• ion product constant of water Kw , which is
1.0× 10 -14 .The concentration units are omitted
in the Kw value.
 ?What are pH and pOH
pH
Definition of pH: pH is the negative logarithm of the
hydrogen ion concentration.
pH = −log [H+]
(The square brackets around the H+ mean
"concentration").
pH symbol: p= power H= Hydrogen.
Example: Water is neutral solution because on
ionization it gives equal amounts of H + and OH- ions
=10-7=7.
 pH
 The pH of solution is the negative logarithm of the hydronium
ion concentration. That is: pH = - log[H+]
Hence if H+ concentration is 1 x 10-3 then pH = 3

 Acidic solutions have [H+] > 1 x 10-7 moles/L or pH < 7

 Basic solutions have [H+] < 1 x 10-7 moles/L or pH > 7
 Neutral solutions have [H+] = [OH-] or pH = 7.00 .
 Similarly, we can write for the hydroxyl ion: pOH = - log[OH-]
*Low pH values correspond to high concentrations of H+
.+High pH values correspond to low concentrations of H*
:Solutions (according to pH) are either
Neutral solutions: Solutions with pH =7 .1
Acidic solutions: Solutions with pH less than 7 (with .2
.high hydrogen ion concentration)
Basic solutions: Solutions with pH more than 7 (with .3
low hydrogen ion concentration
Figure 10.13 A pH meter gives an accurate
measurement of pH values. The pH of vinegar is 2.32
(left). The pH of milk of magnesia in water is 9.39
.(right)
 What is the relation between pH and pOH?
It is found that in all aqueous solutions:
[H+][OH-] = 1 x 10-14 = Kw
Where Kw is called water dissociation constant. If we apply
the negative logarithm to the above equation, we get:

pH + pOH = pKw = 14

For example: acidic solution with pH = 4 must have pOH= 10

Basic solution with pOH = 2.5 must have pH = 14-2.5 = 11.5
Examples:
Calculate pH of the following solutions:
1) A solution with [H+] = 3.5 x 10-5 M
pH = - log [H+] = -log 3.5 x 10-5 = 4.456

2) A basic solution with [H+] = 2 x 10-10 M

pH = - log [H+] = -log 2 x 10-10 = 9.69

3) A basic solution with [OH-] = 4.4 x 10-4 M

pOH = - log [OH-] = -log 4.4 x 10-4 = 3.356
pH = 14 – pOH
= 14 – 3.356 = 10.644
State whether each of the following solutions is acidic,
basic, or neutral:
a. blood, pH 7.38 b. vinegar, pH 2.8
c. drain cleaner, pH 11.2 d. coffee, pH 5.54
e. tomatoes, pH 4.2 f. chocolate cake, pH 7.6
 Al(OH)3(s) + 3HCl(aq) AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)

Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Drug store Antacids

.Stomach fluid is normally quite acidic because of its HCl content
At some time, you probably have gotten “heartburn” caused by excess stomach
acidity. To relieve your discomfort, you may have taken an antacid. The word
“antacid” is a medical term, not one used by chemists. Almost all of them use bases
such as CaCO3, Mg (OH)2, Al (OH)3, and NaHCO3 to decrease the acidity of the
.stomach
Also, in drug stores and supermarkets are nonprescription drugs labeled “acid
reducers.” Among these brands are Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid, and Axed. Instead
of neutralizing acidity, these compounds reduce the secretion of acid into the
stomach. In larger doses (sold only with a prescription), some of these drugs are
used in the treatment of stomach ulcers
 Buffer solution
• Definition:“it is a mixture that minimises pH changes on the
addition of small amounts of acid or base.
Types: two types
1) Acidic Buffer (pH < 7) made from a weak acid + its salt
e.g.: carbonic acid and sodium carbonate
2) Alkaline Buffer (pH > 7) made from a weak base + its salt
e.g.: ammonia and ammonium chloride
Uses:
A-Biological Uses
• In biological systems (saliva and blood), it is essential that the pH stays
‘constant’ in order to work properly.
B- Other Uses
 Many cosmetic products need to control their pH values.
 Shampoo: counteract alkalinity of soap and prevent irritation.
Examples of buffer systems:
1. Carbonic acid /Bicarbonate buffer system:
•Na bicarbonate buffer (H2CO3 /NaHCO3), mainly in the
extracellular fluid (ECF),it is composed of carbonic acid
(weak acid) and Na bicarbonate (its salt of strong
base).
Phosphate buffer: The components of phosphate buffer .2
:system are
Na dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4) / Na monohydrogen
phosphate (Na2HPO4)
:Protein buffers: It includes .3
.a. Amino acid buffers
.b. Hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin buffer KHb /Hb in RBCs
.c- Plasma protein buffers
:Blood buffers: Buffer systems are present in
:Intracellular fluids (ICF) and RBCs: They include .1
.a. Phosphate buffer system
.b. Protein buffer system
Plasma and extracellular fluids (ECF): ECF buffer .2
:systems include
.a. Carbonic acid / bicarbonate buffer system
b. Protein buffer system
:Clinical importance of pH
:pH of human blood is about 7.3-7.4 -1
a. If the blood pH falls below 7.3 the condition is called
.acidosis
b. If the blood pH rises above 7.4 the condition is called
.alkalosis

Any increases in [H+] ions in the blood are removed

by the conjugate base bicarbonate . Any increases in
[OH-] ions in the blood are removed by the carbonic
acid conjugate acid and prevent any change of pH .
:Urine pH ranges from 5-6.5-2
If pH of urine is < 5 (acidic), may indicates diseases such as:
,acidosis, dehydration, diabetic ketoacidosis
.diarrhea, and starvation
The environment also become liable for kidney stone
.formation
:If urine pH > 6.5 (alkaline) indicate diseases such as
.kidney failure, urinary tract infection, and vomiting

Regulation of blood pH: There are three lines for regulation

:of pH
.Buffer regulation .1
.Renal regulation .2
Respiratory regulation .3
 :Hemoglobin (Hb) buffer-3
Hb is present in erythrocytes (RBCs), Hb molecule contains*
multiple histidine amino acid residues. Histidine can accept
.and donate protons like glycine amino acid
Respiratory regulation of pH
Accumulation of CO2H2CO3 in H+ ion concentration*
of blood pH respiratory acidosis stimulation of
respiratory center  increase rate of respiration
.elimination of CO2Buffering of blood pH
-
CO2+H2OH2CO3H++HCO3
Decrease of CO2   in H+ ion concentration   in blood*
pH respiratory alkalosis  inhibition of respiratory center
  in rate and depth of respiration accumulation of
.CO2formation of carbonic acid  buffering of blood
 Renal regulation of pH-4
have several powerful mechanisms to control kidneys
.the pH by the excretion of excess acids or bases

:Mechanisms by which kidney regulate pH are

Excretion of hydrogen (H+) (acidification of urine) in .1
.response to acidosis
Reabsorption of bicarbonate (HCO3-) in response to .2
.acidosis and excrete it in response to alkalosis
.Excretion of ammonium ions (NH4 +) .3
Mechanism of buffer action: Any buffer is formed of two
parts, basic part and acidic part:
* If a strong acid is added it will react with the basic part of
the buffer & minimizes change of pH.
If a strong base is added it will react with the acidic part*
:and also minimizes change of the pH
Bicarbonate buffer system (H2CO3 /NaHCO3): It is the-1
most important buffer system in the plasma

Addition of strong acid e.g., HCL:

Strong acid +buffer system. ----> Weak acid + salt

Metabolic acidosis is seen in diabetics, who
accumulate acidic substances from the
metabolism of fats. Excessive loss of
bicarbonate ion in cases of severe diarrhea is
another cause. A temporary metabolic acidosis
condition can result from prolonged intensive
exercise. Exercise generates lactic acid (a weak
acid) in the muscles. Some of the lactic acid
ionizes, and this produces an influx of H3O- ions
.into the bloodstream

Metabolic alkalosis is less common than

metabolic acidosis. It results from elevated
HCO _ ion levels. Causes include prolonged
Respiratory acidosis results from
higher-than-normal levels of CO2 in the
blood; inefficient CO2 removal is usually
the origin of this problem. Hypoventilation
(a lowered breathing rate), caused by
lung diseases such as emphysema and
asthma or obstructed air passages,
.produces respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by
hyperventilation (an elevated breathing
rate). Causes include hysteria and anxiety
 Key Questions
?What Are Acids and Bases 1.
How Do We Define the Strength of 2.
?Acids and Bases
?What Are Conjugate Acid–Base Pairs 3.
What Are the Properties of Acids and 4.
?Bases
What Are the Acidic and Basic 5.
?Properties of Pure Water
?What Are pH and pOH 6
?What Are Buffers .7
Thank you for listening
Best wishes for success