2.4 Acids and Bases

pH

"power of Hydrogen," AKA hydrogen ion concentration in a solution

when water dissociates or ionizes, what does it turn into?

A hydrogen ion and a hydroxide ion (H+ and OH-)

Acids

Substances that dissociate in water, releasing hydrogen ions

Acid pH and H+ and OH- concentration

Acids have a low pH and a high concentration of H+ (and low concentration of OH-)

Bases pH and H+ and OH- concentration

Bases have a high pH and a high concentration of OH- (and low concentration of H+)

Adding an acid and a base creates what and why?

Water, because of the high H+ concentration in acid plus the high OH- concentration in bases creates H2O

pH values 0-7 are..

acidic

pH values of 7 are...

neutral (equal OH and H)

pH values of 7-14 are...

basic (alkaline)

pH of 4 is how much more acidic than a pH of 5

10x

pH of 5 is how much more acidic than a pH of 7

100x

If [H+] = [-OH], water is...?

neutral

If [H+] > (more than) [-OH], water is...?

acidic

If [H+] < (less than) [-OH], water is...?

basic

What macromolecules are enzymes?

proteins

Buffers

a chemical or a combination of chemicals that keeps/controls pH within natural limits (esp more natural organisms, significant pH changes can be fatal)

pH of cells must be kept at what?

~7

pH affects...

the shape of molecules, which in turn affects cellular function