![]() The stomach secretes a strong acid called hydrochloric acid that allows pepsin to work. Pepsin needs an acidic environment to do its job. Consider the enzyme pepsin, which helps break down proteins in the stomach. Cells secrete acids and base s to maintain the proper pH for enzymes to do their work.Įvery time you digest food, acids and bases are at work in your digestive system. Enzymes are biological catalysts that must work effectively for biochemical reactions to occur. Most enzymes can do their job only at a certain level of acidity. Many acids and bases in living things provide the pH that enzymes need. If the blood becomes too basic, carbonic acid will convert to bicarbonate and H+ ions:ĬO 2 + H 2O ↔ H 2CO 3 ↔ HCO 3 – + H + Acids, Bases, and Enzymes In this buffering system, if blood becomes too acidic, carbonic acid will convert to carbon dioxide and water. Bicarbonate is an example of a buffer which is used to maintain pH of the blood. Buffers are extremely important in biological systems in order to maintain a pH conducive to life. Buffers are able to maintain a certain pH by by absorbing any H+ or OH- ions added to the solution. For example, lye can burn the skin, and bleach can remove the colour from clothing.Ī buffer is a solution that can resist changes in pH. Like strong acids, strong bases can harm organisms and damage materials. Bases, such as baking soda, have a bitter taste. A solution with a pH higher than 7 is called a base. If a solution has a lower concentration of hydronium ions than pure water, it has a pH higher than 7. Strong acids can also damage materials, even hard materials such as glass. Stronger acids can be harmful to organisms. Even stomach acid would eat through the stomach if it were not lined with a layer of mucus. Therefore, the more acidic a solution is, the lower its pH value is.ĭid you ever taste vinegar? Like other acids, it tastes sour. As the hydronium ion concentration increases, the pH value decreases. ![]() A solution with a pH lower than 7 is called an acid. If a solution has a higher concentration of hydronium ions than pure water, it has a pH lower than 7. Examples of solutions for various pH levels. The lower the pH value, the more acidic a substance is. This pH scale shows the acidity of many common substances. Chapter 1 - Nature and Processes of Scienceġ.1 Case Study: Why Should You Learn About Science?ġ.7 Pseudoscience and Other Misuses of Scienceġ.8 Case Study Conclusion: To Give a Shot or NotĢ.1 Case Study: Why Should You Study Human Biology?Ģ.6 Case Study Conclusion: Our Invisible InhabitantsĤ.14 Case Study Conclusion: More Than Just Tiredĥ.10 Mendel's Experiments and Laws of Inheritanceĥ.12 Sexual Reproduction, Meiosis, and Gametogenesisĥ.18 Case Study Conclusion: Cancer in the FamilyĦ.1 Case Study: Our Similarities and DifferencesĦ.4 Human Responses to Environmental StressĦ.9 Case Study Conclusion: Your Genes May Help You Save a Lifeħ.9 Case Study Conclusion: Under PressureĨ.1 Case Study: The Control Centre of Your Bodyġ0.1 Case Study: Skin, Hair, and Nails - Decorative but Functionalġ0.2 Introduction to the Integumentary Systemġ0.8 Case Study Conclusion: Wearing His Heart on His Sleeveġ1.8 Case Study Conclusion: A Pain in the Footġ2.7 Case Study Conclusion: Needing to Relaxġ3.1 Case Study: Respiratory System and Gas Exchangeġ3.2 Structure and Function of the Respiratory Systemġ3.7 Case Study Conclusion: Cough That Won't Quitġ4.1 Case Study: Your Body's Transportation Systemġ4.2 Introduction to the Cardiovascular Systemġ5.2 Introduction to the Digestive Systemġ5.7 Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tractġ5.8 Case Study Conclusion: Please Don’t Pass the Breadġ6.5 Ureters, Urinary Bladder, and Urethraġ6.7 Case Study Conclusion: Drink and Flushġ7.7 Case Study Conclusion: Defending Your Defensesġ8.2 Introduction to the Reproductive Systemġ8.3 Structures of the Male Reproductive Systemġ8.4 Functions of the Male Reproductive Systemġ8.5 Disorders of the Male Reproductive Systemġ8.6 Structures of the Female Reproductive Systemġ8.7 Functions of the Female Reproductive Systemġ8.9 Disorders of the Female Reproductive Systemġ8.12 Case Study Conclusion: Trying to ConceiveĬhapter 1 Answers: Nature and Processes of ScienceĬhapter 2 Answers: Biology: The Study of LifeĬhapter 7 Answers: Introduction to the Human BodyĬhapter 14 Answers: Cardiovascular System
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