BS MLS 2 – E

MLS 5A – Biochemistry Laboratory

Group 4
CABASAN, Edward Theodore
PARIÑAL, Christian Haj
PASCUAL, Rengel
KANAAN, Anne Therese

POST-LAB QUESTIONS

1) Discuss how the following buffer systems work in the human body:

a) Carbonate Buffer System

Also termed as the Carbonic Acid Buffer System, the Carbonate Buffer System aids in
maintaining the flow of blood in the human body. The system works by regulating the pH in the
bloodstream within its 7.35-7.45 range, as it depends on the ratio of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. It
uses carbon dioxide and water to create a weak acid called Carbonic acid that dissociates to one
hydrogen ion and Bicarbonate. This reaction is reversible and hence, in the same light, Carbonic acid
can also be created by the addition of one hydrogen ion to the Bicarbonate. Through this process,
potential acid and base imbalances are managed and regulated by the said buffer system by
controlling and keeping a constant pH in the bloodstream. As such, this mechanism supports proper
metabolic functions in the body. The greater one inhales, the greater amount of carbon dioxide is
exhaled and while the lungs are at work while breathing, the kidneys help the pulmonary organ
maintain homeostasis by excreting acids and bases into the blood. A well-regulated pH in the
bloodstream deviates from the occurrence of acidosis and alkalosis. To summarize the entire flow of
the Carbonate Buffer System, the following equation is utilized: CO2 + H2O ↔ H2CO3 ↔ H+ +
HCO3- .
Sources:

https://sciencing.com/carbonate-buffering-8299150.html

https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-the-three-major-buffer-systems-of-the-body-and-how-do-they-work

b) Phosphate Buffer System

While the Carbonate Buffer System functions within the bloodstream, the Phosphate Buffer
System works within the cell’s internal fluids. This buffer system is composed of phosphate groups
that operate in regulating the pH levels of fluids inside the human body. The inorganic phosphate
groups present in the system freely bind to free hydrogen ions to act as a buffer. More specifically,
the dihydrogen phosphate ions in the buffer system function as hydrogen ion donors, or acids in
general, while the hydrogen phosphate ions work as hydrogen acceptors, or the bases. The
dihydrogen phosphate ions dissociate to hydrogen and hydrogen phosphate to allow the decrease in
pH and promote the formation of dihydrogen phosphate from hydrogen, and hydrogen phosphate to
promote increase in pH. This reaction is reversible and can be further summarized through the
equation:

H2PO4- ↔ H+ + HPO42-.
BS MLS 2 – E
MLS 5A – Biochemistry Laboratory

Group 4
CABASAN, Edward Theodore
PARIÑAL, Christian Haj
PASCUAL, Rengel
KANAAN, Anne Therese

The buffer system uses H2PO4- and HPO42-. The pK of inorganic phosphate is at 6.8 which
encompasses the pH of extracellular fluid at 7.4 with a low concentration in its intracellular space.
This makes the Phosphate Buffer System critical in the renal tubes and intracellular fluids of the
human body as its concentration continues to increase as the amount of fluids absorbed in the tubules
likewise increases. As a whole, the interaction among phosphates maintains the overall pH level
within and around the cells ensuring that the body maintains its required level of acidity.

Sources:

https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-the-three-major-buffer-systems-of-the-body-and-how-do-
theywork#:~:text=Phosphate%20buffer%20system%20operates%20in,the%20ion%20acceptor
%20(%20base%20)%20.&text=Protein%20buffer%20system%20helps%20to%20maintain%20acidity
%20in%20and%20around%20the%20cells.

c) Proteins

To further maintain acidity within and among cells, proteins perform within the body’s
intracellular fluids and blood plasma. Since proteins are strongly made up of amino acids, their
compositions are built towards the presence of positively charged amino groups and negatively
charged carboxyl groups wherein the charged molecules interact by binding to hydrogen and
hydroxyl ions and hence function as buffers in the human body.

Proteins such as albumin mainly function as pH buffers in blood plasma by reducing the
chances of coagulation to occur in the blood as well as in healing processes. Due to the presence of
histidine residues in albumin, acid dissociation among fluids is made possible and albumin becomes
an effective buffer by donating positive charges during alkalosis or negative charges during acidosis.

Another protein buffer system that works in the human body is hemoglobin, which permits
the red color in blood. Hemoglobin contains alpha and beta protein chains that have a heme group
containing iron. Due to this heme group, oxygen can bind to the iron atoms in hemoglobin and be
transported through the blood. With this, hemoglobin functions as a buffer system by binding to
minute amounts of acids in the blood while stabilizing any potential rises of pH in the bloodstream by
releasing hydrogen ions from the atomic sites present within the hemoglobin molecule. Likewise, to
restabilize a decrease in the pH, hydrogen ions are taken up or engulfed by hemoglobin to obtain
homeostasis.

Sources:
BS MLS 2 – E
MLS 5A – Biochemistry Laboratory

Group 4
CABASAN, Edward Theodore
PARIÑAL, Christian Haj
PASCUAL, Rengel
KANAAN, Anne Therese

https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-the-three-major-buffer-systems-of-the-body-and-how-do-they-
work#:~:text=hydrogen%20phosphate%20ion.,PROTEIN%20BUFFER%20SYSTEM,are%20also
%20good%20at%20buffering.

https://quizlet.com/144447324/chapter-27-flash-cards/

https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/26-4-acid-base-balance/#:~:text=Hemoglobin%20as
%20a%20Buffer,by%20the%20dissociation%20of%20oxygen.

https://melcalin.com/albumin-actions-and-interactions-benefits-from-a-buffered-albumin-supplementation-
pralbumina/

2) A sodium hydroxide solution has a pH of 11.40, what is the [OH–] in this solution? Show
your solution

3). An HCl solution has a pH of 3.10, what is the [H3O+] in this solution? Show your solution