Acids, Bases, and Buffers

Acid: Substance that releases hydrogen ion (H+) when it dissolves in water.

Base: Substance that releases ions that combine with H+. Ex: NaOH seperates into Na and OH- The OHi can combine with H+ to form with water.

Buffers: Cells continuosly produce and use H+ ions, without a drastic shift in pH due to buffers in the system.

• Buffers are molecules that combine with H+ ions, release them, or both in response to change in pH.
• When a metabolism reaction produces an excess of H+, buffers accept the excess. When the level of H+ drops, buffers release the reserves.
• Buffers can only neutralize the H+ ions; only the urinary system can eliminate them entirely.

H = acid

OH = Base

HOH = equal acid/base = H₂O