Download Intro to Buffers + Human Physiology

Mrs. Nielsen
Chemistry
Name ____________________________________________ Date ______________ Period_____
Acids, Bases and Buffers
Physiology Connection: Carbonic Acid – Bicarbonate Buffer System
The human body has a natural buffering system to maintain a normal blood pH ~ 7.4.
In the space below, write the chemical equation for the buffer system that allows the human body to
maintain a consistent and normal blood pH.
During anaerobic exercise, you will often feel a burning sensation in your muscles. What is responsible
for this “burn”? How does this affect the pH of your blood?
Using your knowledge of Le Chatelier’s Principle, explain how the system stabilizes the pH of your blood
when you are exercising.
Smoking interferes with the lungs ability to remove CO2 from the blood. How will this inefficiency
affect the pH of the blood? Explain your answer.
Mrs. Nielsen
Video Questions
Chemistry
1. Which molecule is produced when CO2 combines with H2O in the blood?
2. Which molecule acts as a buffer in human blood?
3. There are 2 organ systems that are responsible for maintaining homeostasis of blood pH.
a. Which organ is responsible for removing CO2 from the blood? When CO2 is removed, in which
direction does the equation shift? What affect does this have on the pH of the blood?
b. Which organ is responsible for removing HCO3- from the blood? When HCO3- is removed, in
which direction does the equation shift? What affect does this have on the pH of the blood?
4. What is the approximate volume of blood in the human body?
5. What is the normal pH of human blood?
6. What is an erythrocyte?
7. Which protein found in erythrocytes is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood?
8. What are the 4 possible blood types? How do they differ from one another?
9. What is the most common blood type?
10. Which two factors alter the ability of hemoglobin to deliver O2 efficiently?
11. How does fetal hemoglobin differ from normal hemoglobin?
12. Where does CO bind in the blood? How does this “poison” work?