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Acids, Bases, and Buffers quiz

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  • What is an acid in the context of cell biology?
    An acid is a substance that releases positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) into solution.
  • How do strong acids differ from weak acids?
    Strong acids completely dissociate in solution, releasing all their hydrogen ions, while weak acids do not fully dissociate.
  • What is a base and how does it function in solution?
    A base is a substance that accepts positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) from solution.
  • What is the role of hydroxide ions (OH-) in basic solutions?
    Hydroxide ions (OH-) are released by bases and can combine with hydrogen ions (H+) to form water (H2O).
  • What does it mean that water is amphoteric?
    Water is amphoteric because it can act as both an acid and a base depending on the situation.
  • How is acidity measured in biological systems?
    Acidity is measured using the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14 and reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.
  • What pH values indicate acidic, neutral, and basic solutions?
    pH values below 7 are acidic, a pH of 7 is neutral, and values above 7 are basic.
  • What is the typical pH of the cytosol in cells?
    The cytosol usually has a pH around 7.2, which is close to neutral.
  • Why is the lysosome's pH important for its function?
    The lysosome has a highly acidic pH of about 4.5, which is important for breaking down and destroying materials.
  • What is a buffer and what is its main function?
    A buffer is a solution that limits changes in pH by using weak acids and bases to accept or release hydrogen ions.
  • How do buffers help maintain cellular function?
    Buffers keep the pH of cellular compartments stable, which is essential for proper cellular function.
  • What is an example of a biological buffer system?
    Blood uses a buffer system involving weak carbonic acid and its conjugate base to stabilize pH changes.
  • Why is blood pH regulation important?
    Blood pH regulation is crucial because it keeps the body's pH within a narrow range necessary for normal function.
  • What happens when a buffer encounters excess hydrogen ions?
    The buffer can accept the excess hydrogen ions, minimizing changes in pH.
  • What happens when a buffer encounters a decrease in hydrogen ions?
    The buffer can release hydrogen ions to counteract the decrease, helping to maintain a stable pH.