Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
3) is a vital component of the pH buffering system [3] of the human body (maintaining acid–base homeostasis). 70%–75% of CO 2 in the body is converted into carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3), which is the conjugate acid of HCO − 3 and can quickly turn into it. [citation needed]
On the other hand, if a chemical is a weak acid its conjugate base will not necessarily be strong. Consider that ethanoate, the conjugate base of ethanoic acid, has a base splitting constant (Kb) of about 5.6 × 10 −10, making it a weak base. In order for a species to have a strong conjugate base it has to be a very weak acid, like water.
As with any buffer system, the pH is balanced by the presence of both a weak acid (for example, H 2 CO 3) and its conjugate base (for example, HCO − 3) so that any excess acid or base introduced to the system is neutralized. Failure of this system to function properly results in acid-base imbalance, such as acidemia (pH < 7.35) and alkalemia ...
As an acid, losing a proton: HCO − 3 + OH − ⇌ CO 2− 3 + H 2 O As a base, accepting a proton: HCO − 3 + H + ⇌ H 2 CO 3. Note: in dilute aqueous solution the formation of the hydronium ion, H 3 O + (aq), is effectively complete, so that hydration of the proton can be ignored in relation to the equilibria.
In chemistry, an acid–base reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base.It can be used to determine pH via titration.Several theoretical frameworks provide alternative conceptions of the reaction mechanisms and their application in solving related problems; these are called the acid–base theories, for example, Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory.
It is the conjugate base of the hydrogencarbonate (bicarbonate) [8] ion, HCO − 3, which is the conjugate base of H 2 CO 3, carbonic acid. The Lewis structure of the carbonate ion has two (long) single bonds to negative oxygen atoms, and one short double bond to a neutral oxygen atom.
The HCO 3 − is a conjugate base that neutralizes acids, and the H + is a conjugate acid that neutralizes bases by Acid-base homeostasis. The HCO 3 − and H + are ideal for buffering pH in the blood and tissues because the pKa is close to the physiological pH = 7.2 – 7.6.
For example, acetic acid is a weak acid which has a = 1.75 x 10 −5. Its conjugate base is the acetate ion with K b = 10 −14 /K a = 5.7 x 10 −10 (from the relationship K a × K b = 10 −14), which certainly does not correspond to a strong base. The conjugate of a weak acid is often a weak base and vice versa.