Question

2. Why do we treat buffer calculations differently? What is the point of a buffer?

Answer 1

Given data is,

First I would like to explain you that

Why do we use buffers? Why are they important?

Buffers are compounds that resist changes in pH upon the addition of limited amounts of acids or bases. These are especially used in pharmaceutical preparations which should not alter their pH over a period of time.

pH Buffering:

Def:

A buffer is an aqueous solution that has a highly stable pH. If you add acid or baseto a buffered solution, its pH will not change significantly. Similarly, adding water to a buffer or allowing water to evaporate will not change the pH of a buffer.

i) When hydrogen ions are added to a buffer, they will be neutralized by the base in the buffer. Hydroxide ions will be neutralized by the acid.

ii) These neutralization reactions will not have much effect on the overall pH of the buffer solution.

iii) When you select an acid for a buffer solution, try to choose an acid that has a pKa close to your desired pH.

iv) This will give your buffer nearly equivalent amounts of acid and conjugate base so it will be able to neutralize as much H+ and OH- as possible.

2. Because buffer is most effective when about half is in the acid form (Buffer H+) and half in the base form. So to maintain acid : base =1:1, we need to care about buffer system.

3. The properties of buffer are described in below:

Membrane Impermeability

If the buffer passes through a cell membrane, it can accumulate inside the cell and alter the cell and affect the results of the experiment. Therefore, Good buffers will not pass through cell membranes.

Minimal Salt Effects

High salinity can often have dehydrating effects on cells. Furthermore, some salts also react with other constituents present in the setup to form complications in the research. A Good buffer has minimal ionic content to reduce these complications.

Well-behaved Cation Interactions

Many buffers react with cation ligands to form complexes which can accumulate in different regions of the setup and effect the research. An ideal Good buffer does not form such complexes, but such buffers are practically impossible to produce. In general, Good buffers form a small number of complexes that are soluble, to prevent any accumulation that can affect the research.

Stability

Buffers are often used in research on reactions involving enzymes. A Good buffer is chemically stable enough to resist degradation that enzymes could cause. Furthermore, a Good buffer is also resistant to non-enzymatic degradation by other components of the setup.

Non-Toxicity

Since Good buffers are often used in research involving living cells, they are required to be non-toxic to the cells used in the experiment.