Question

Discuss how buffers help prevent drastic swings in pH.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Buffers absorb excess hydrogen and hydroxide ions to prevent increases or decrease in pH. An example is the bicarbonate system in human body.

Explanation:

In nature, buffer is a known to be a solution capable of maintaining the pH of an ionic solution i.e. resist alteration to the acidic or basic content, by neutralizing excess hydrogen ions (H+) or hydroxyll ions (OH-) added to it.

Buffers, with the aid of their weak acid/conjugate base or weak base/conjugate acid, absorb/react with excess hydrogen and hydroxide ions to prevent increases or decrease in pH. An example of buffer in humans is the bicarbonate buffer system in that maintains stable pH in the human blood.