What do buffers do and why are they important in biological systems?
One of the most important applications of acids and bases in chemistry and biology is that of buffers. A buffer solution resists rapid changes in pH when acids and bases are added to it. Every living cell contains natural buffer systems to maintain the constant pH needed for proper cell function. Many consumer products are also buffered to safeguard their activity. During exercise, the muscles use up oxygen as they convert chemical energy in glucose to mechanical energy. This O2 comes from hemoglobin in the blood. CO2 and H+ are produced during the breakdown of glucose, and are removed from the muscle via the blood. The production and removal of CO2 and H+, together with the use and transport of O2, cause chemical changes in the blood. These chemical changes, unless offset by other physiological functions, cause the pH of the blood to drop. If the pH of the body gets too low (below 7.4), a condition known as acidosis results. This can be very serious, because many of the chemical react
