Question

What will happen to living systems if bicaarbonate, citrate and phosphate buffers didn't exist?

Answer 1

Buffers such as bicarbonate buffer, citrate buffer and phosphate buffer are important in living system. pH of blood is near to neutrality (7.4). If the pH of blood increases, these buffers help in maintaining the blood pH. Increase in blood pH leads to certain diseases such as alkalosis. This further leads to muscle spasm and respiratory diseases.

Bicarbonate buffer helps to maintain the blood pH if it falls towards acidic range or increases towards alkalinity. It helps in decreasing acidity and increasing alkalinity by forming carbon dioxide gas. Increase in blood pH towards alkalinity is also maintained by excreting the bicarbonates into the urine. Similar action is also seen in case of phosphate buffer and citrate buffer.

Answer: If these buffers are not present in a living system then the change of pH cannot be altered or put back to normal. These buffers help to maintain the pH of the living system so that cells can work properly.