Why use Biological Buffer?

When the biological and chemical reactions proceed is usually needed a constant pH value. The good buffers are useful to maintain the pH at a constant value and stable the working conditions. It means that the buffers are solutions that resist a change in pH on addition of a scruple of acids or base.

How can Biological buffer maintain the pH value?

Because buffers are composed of a weak acid (HA) and its conjugate base (A–) or a weak base and its conjugate acid. Weak acids and bases do not completely dissociate in water, it exists as an equilibrium of dissociated and undissociated species in the buffer solution instead. For example, In the acetic acid solution, acetate ions, hydrogen ions, and undissociated acetic acid exist in equilibrium. It is able to absorb either H+ or OH– due to the reversible nature of the dissociation of acetic acid (HAc). HAC can release H+ to neutralize OH&ndash, and form water. The conjugate base, A–, can react with H+ions added to the system to produce acetic acid.

What will happen when adding strong acid or base to the buffer?

According to Le Chatelier’s principle. When added some strong acid (more H+) into an equilibrium mixture of the weak acid and its conjugate base, the equilibrium is shifted to the left. Conversely, if added some strong base into the mixture, the equilibrium is shifted to the right to accommodate for the loss of H+ in the reaction with the base.

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Further reading:How to choosing the biological buffer you need: By ph and pKa

References:

^[1]https://worldwide.promega.com/resources/guides/lab-equipment-and-supplies/buffers-for-biochemical-reactions/

^[2]https://www.toppr.com/guides/chemistry/equilibrium/buffer-solutions/

^[3]https://www.mt.com/be/en/home/applications/Laboratory_weighing/buffer-preparation.html#know-how