PowerPoint Presentation

[Audio] Group 4, Sun-group 1 at International University of Kyrgyzstan (ISM-IUK) recently undertook an insightful project on the Physiology Module 4, discussing the concept of biological buffers and their importance in maintaining homeostasis, controlling pH in biochemical reactions, and regulating enzymatic functions. This project was completed independently by Begum Husna, Umair, Asim, Talha and Shahreyar..

[Audio] Biological buffers play an important role in preserving body homeostasis. These are organic compounds that have the ability to neutralize hydrogen ions, providing the correct pH for biochemical processes to continue functioning at their best. Most buffers are composed of a weak acid and a weak base, maintaining a given pH level even after the addition of an acid or a base. By maintaining a steady pH close to the physiological pH, biological buffers help ensure the biochemical processes in the body are operating without disruptions..

[Audio] A buffer is a combination of a weak acid and its salt of its conjugate base that acts together to fight off changes in pH. When acid or base is added to the buffer, the pH stays relatively stable. There are numerous properties that buffers possess, such as intensive and extensive properties. The initial and more straightforward illustration of a buffer is when equal concentrations of acetic acid and sodium acetate are blended together. Additionally, buffers have the capability to counter any changes in pH, which is identified by the quantity of buffer components and the buffer capacity. Buffer capacity is a critical component for many biochemical procedures, including maintaining equilibrium, managing pH in biochemical reactions, and controlling enzymatic activities..

[Audio] Biological buffers play a key role in maintaining homeostasis and balancing pH in biochemical reactions. For them to be effective, they need to meet certain requirements: having a pKa between 6.0 and 8.0, high water solubility, not permeating cell membranes, being non-toxic and not interfering with biological processes, and having a low salt effect. Plus, the buffering capacity should not be affected by ionic composition or temperature, and shouldn't absorb in either the visible or UV regions. Also, it should be stable and resistant to enzymatic degradation..

[Audio] Buffer substances act as a 'shock absorber' preventing sudden and extreme changes in pH. A buffer is usually composed of a weak acid, HA, and its salt, BA, that ionize and produce a mixture of acid and salt molecules in balance. This balanced mixture as a buffer helps to keep the pH of a solution relatively constant. Additionally, buffers can be used to maintain the pH of a solution containing a biochemical reaction, as well as to regulate the activity of enzymes..

[Audio] Biological buffers play a crucial role in the body's physiological processes. Acting as a regulatory mechanism, they help keep the body's pH levels in check and aid in maintaining homeostasis. Buffers are also essential to control the pH of biochemical reactions and regulate enzymatic functions. Without them, the body would not be able to function effectively, resulting in numerous health complications..

[Audio] Biological buffers are compounds which play a vital role in regulating biochemical reactions and homeostasis. There are three types of biological buffers that are essential for this process. The first is the bicarbonate buffer, which helps maintain the pH of the solution. The second is the phosphate buffer, which helps maintain the proper amount of phosphate in the solution. Lastly, there are protein buffers, which are proteins like haemoglobin and cytosolase that help to stabilize the concentrations of various ions in the solution. All of these buffers play a key role in maintaining the stability of biochemical reactions, and thus, they are essential for organism homeostasis..

[Audio] The bicarbonate buffer system is a key component of keeping a balance between acid and base levels in the body. This system involves the balance of carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, and carbon dioxide, and is regulated by an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. The presence of both a weak acid and its conjugate base helps to neutralize any excess acid or base that may be introduced to the system. If this system fails to properly function, it can cause acid-base imbalance, leading to problems like acidemia and alkalemia in the bloodstream. It is important to understand how this buffer system works and its importance in maintaining homeostasis, controlling pH, and regulating enzymatic functions..

[Audio] In the body, bicarbonate is the primary buffer that helps to maintain balance between acidity and alkalinity (pH) by allowing the exchange of protons and bicarbonate ions between fluids and acids. It is especially important in the renal system, where it assists in the kidneys' ability to regulate acid-base balance in the body. Bicarbonate also plays an important role in enzymatic activity, in which it helps control the rate of metabolic processes in the body..

[Audio] The human respiratory system plays a major role in maintaining acid-base balance in the body. When this balance is disturbed, it can lead to several different disorders. The most common disorder is respiratory acidosis, which occurs when too much carbon dioxide accumulates in the body. This can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. Another disorder is respiratory alkalosis, which is caused by low levels of carbon dioxide in the body. The symptoms of this disorder include increased heart rate, anxiety, and difficulty breathing. Treatment for these disorders is focused on restoring the acid-base balance in the body by correcting the underlying cause, such as providing more oxygen or decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding certain risk factors can also help prevent these disorders..

[Audio] Phosphate buffers are critical for maintaining homeostasis, balancing the pH of biochemical reactions and governing enzymatic functions. They are particularly important in buffering renal tubular fluid and intracellular fluids. The two primary components of the phosphate buffer system are H2PO4- and HPO4-, which interact in a 1:1 ratio to speedily take on hydrogen ions when strong acids, such as HCl, are present. This lets the system to work close to its maximum buffering capacity. Phosphate buffers have a PK of 6.8, making them very proficient in sustaining steady pH levels in the body, and thus in protecting cells from the harm caused by toxins in the nearby environment and in regulating enzyme activity..

[Audio] Proteins are composed of amino acids with positively charged amino groups and negatively charged carboxyl groups, which enable them to bind hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. This property makes them an effective buffer system, maintaining a pH balance both inside and outside of cellular fluid, which is essential for biochemical reactions, homeostasis, and enzyme regulation. Moreover, proteins interact with other buffer systems to regulate the pH level where it needs to be..

[Audio] Intracellular buffers consist of proteins, phosphates and the potassium-hydrogen ion exchange to regulate the pH of the cell's internal environment. Proteins are the main components of these buffers and work by binding to hydrogen ions and releasing them when the pH of the environment changes. Phosphates also form complexes with various ions to buffer the pH of the environment. The potassium-hydrogen ion exchange is an important component of these buffers, involving the uptake of hydrogen ions by the cell and the release of potassium ions to maintain the pH of the environment. These buffers are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating enzymatic functions..

[Audio] Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells which transports oxygen to the body's tissues from the lungs. It is also a buffer for carbon dioxide which is released in the lungs after diffusing across the red blood cell membrane from the tissues and binding directly to haemoglobin. In the red blood cell, the carbon dioxide and water form carbonic acid, and this dissociates into bicarbonate. The bicarbonate ions then diffuse into the plasma, exchanging with chloride ions which attach to haemoglobin and are released when the red blood cells reach the lungs. Here the chloride ions combine with bicarbonate to reform carbon dioxide for respiration. This buffer system has an essential role in maintaining homeostasis, controlling pH of biochemical reactions, and regulating enzymatic functions..

[Audio] Solubility of ionic compounds like magnesium hydroxide is influenced by variation of pH. When a base is included in the solution, the concentration of hydroxide ions enhance, resulting in a decrease of solubility of Mg(OH)2. In a similar way, when an acid is integrated to the solution, it neutralizes the hydroxide ions, shifting the solubility equilibrium to the right and leading to an augmented dissolution of Mg(OH)2. This phenomenon is known as the common ion effect and is a significant factor to consider when assessing the solubility of partially soluble ionic compounds..

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