Introductory Chemistry: Ions, pH, Buffers, and Functional Groups

Vocabulary flashcards covering electrolytes, acids, bases, pH scale, blood homeostasis, physiological buffers, and chemical functional groups.

Electrolytes

Ions in solution that perform specific jobs in the body, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium aiding in muscle contraction.

Acid

A chemical substance that releases hydrogen ions ($H^+$) into a solution.

Base

A chemical substance that can accept a hydrogen ion ($H^+$).

pH

A measure of the molarity or concentration of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a solution.

Neutral pH

A pH value of exactly $7.0$, where the concentrations of hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions are equally balanced.

Normal Blood pH

The narrow, slightly alkaline pH range of blood plasma and body fluids, which spans from $7.35$ to $7.4$.

Acidosis

A condition resulting from blood pH dropping below the normal range, such as a pH of $7.3$.

Alkalosis

A condition resulting from blood pH rising above the normal range, such as a pH of $7.5$.

Buffer

A chemical solution composed of a weak acid and a weak base whose function is to resist changes in pH by temporarily binding excess hydrogen ions or bases.

Phosphate Buffer System

An intracellular buffer system based on phosphate anions with a negative three charge that can bind free hydrogen ions ($H^+$).

Carboxyl Group

A functional group written as $COOH$, consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and bonded to a hydroxyl group.

Amino Group

A functional group found on amino acids and represented as $NH_2$.