Solutions, Acids, Bases, and Electrolytes Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing solutions, acids, bases, pH buffering in blood, solubility rules, salts, and electrolytes from the lecture notes.

Acids

Substances that release hydrogen ions ($H^+$) when placed in water.

Bases

Substances that produce hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) when added to water.

Blood pH Maintenance

The physiological state where blood pH is maintained around 7.4 (slightly basic) using a combination of carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$) and bicarbonate ions ($HCO_3^-$).

Blood Buffer Reaction to Added $H^+$

The neutralization reaction $H^+ + HCO_3^- \rightarrow H_2CO_3$ that occurs when hydrogen ions are added to blood.

Blood Buffer Reaction to Added $OH^-$

The neutralization reaction $OH^- + H_2CO_3 \rightarrow HCO_3^- + H_2O$ that occurs when hydroxide ions are added to blood.

Solution

A substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together and uniformly dispersed, most commonly the result of dissolving a solid, fluid, or gas in a liquid.

Solute

The stuff dissolved in the solution.

Solvent

The stuff doing the dissolving, usually the liquid.

Like Dissolves Like

The solution principle where non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes better than polar solvents, and polar solvents dissolve polar solutes better than non-polar solvents.

Temperature Effect on Solid Solubility

The property where raising the temperature of a solution will increase the solubility of most solid solutes.

Pressure Effect on Gas Solubility

The property where increasing the pressure above a solution will increase the solubility of most gaseous solutes.

Salt

An ionic compound containing cations instead of $H^+$ and anions other than $OH^-$, which breaks apart (disassociates) in aqueous solution.

Electrolyte

A chemical compound that is able to conduct electricity, including all ions such as $NaCl$, $CaCO_3$ (calcium carbonate), and $KCl$ (potassium chloride).

Calcium Phosphates

The most plentiful electrolytes in the human body, which make up bone and teeth.