[TheAkuma]

Hello people, I have an assignment regarding chemical equilibrium in the blood. I have been given basically two equations which I have to explain what they are, how the affect the body, pH and how they work.
The first equation is H⁺ (aq)+HCO-₃(aq)::equil::H₂CO-3(aq) ::equil::H₂O(l)+CO₂(g) (1)

I only know the extreme basics of the above equation. I need to link it with this equation
H₃O+(aq)+HCO₃-(aq)::equil::H₂CO₃(aq)+H₂O(l)::equil::2H₂O(l)+CO₂(g)
Now I dont know what this equation represents, I only know from an article that it has two reactions, one is an acid-base reaction and the other isn't. i've been trying to look for some info on this equation but can't find anything.

I need to come up with 500 words for each equation, but the best I can do is 224 words for the first equation. It seems like there is nothing else to talk about those two equations. If anyone can help it would be very much appreciated, thanks.

[cliverlong]

Maybe one way to structure an answer is as follows

General theory of acid-base buffers including how to cacluate pH as add different amount of acid or base
The specifics of this buffer, what is its pH, how it arises in the blood,
What would happen if pH was not controlled in the blood, be specific about impact on physiological and biochemical processes
Why H⁺ levels can vary in the body as a result of normal physiological processes.
Limits of this buffer's ability to absorb changes in [H⁺]
Where does the CO₂ come from or how can excess be removed? Where exactly does this buffer reside in the blood? Is thi sbuffer present only in humans? In mammals? In birds?

The two equations give really no different information

Clive

[TheAkuma]

thanks clive, that will really help me with my four questions that i need to type up at the end. The questions that I make are about 1/3 of my overall mark on the assignment .

[TheAkuma]

I still have nothing to write about the second equation though. How does the buffer in the second equation work? what happens when there's too much CO₂?

[Borek]

Think about LeChatelier's principle.

[TheAkuma]

thanks

[TheAkuma]

how many buffers are there in the human blood? I googled it and can't find anything.

[TheAkuma]

is the second equation represents an amphiprotic substance?

[jcjlf]

how many buffers are there in the human blood? I googled it and can't find anything.

Apart from the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer there are important protein buffer systems and phosphate buffers (H₂PO₄^-/HPO₄^2-). The proteins buffer by their NH₂ and COOH groups. That's what I know about it.

[TheAkuma]

thanks

[TheAkuma]

I'm having some problems with this equation pH=pK-log(CO₂/HCO^-₃)
I know that pK=6.1 for the carbonic-acid-bicarbonate buffer, but I dont know how to find the ratio between CO₂ and HCO^-₃. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

[TheAkuma]

is the second equation represents an amphiprotic substance?

Never mind about that question.

[Borek]

I'm having some problems with this equation pH=pK-log(CO₂/HCO^-₃)
I know that pK=6.1 for the carbonic-acid-bicarbonate buffer, but I dont know how to find the ratio between CO₂ and HCO^-₃. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

My guess is that right direction is a math handbook. Move pKa to the LHS and calculate antilog of both sides.

[TheAkuma]

k thanks