Question

Which buffer system is found in blood and helps in maintaining ph of the blood close to 7.4?

Answer 1

Carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3 -)and present in our blood. They bring about an effect known as common ion effect. This effect is the key principle behind chemical buffers and blood is one of them.

Hydronim ions are given by the acid. An equilibrium is set up between water, carbonic acid and ions.

Equilibrium reaction:

$h3 {o}^{ + } + hco3 {}^{ - } \: < - > h2co3 + h2o$

Any attempt at increasing the pH of blood would be by the addition of ions like bicarbonates, this makes the equilibrium shift making the bicarbonates combine with hydronium ions giving rise to more acid, producing more hydronium ions and thereby maintaining the pH at 7.4.

Meanwhile, if we try to lower the pH by increasing the hydronium ion concentration, the equilibrium shifts in the opposite direction leading to the ions combining to form acid, yet again maintaining the pH of the solution.