PH

pH equals the logarithm to the base of 10 of reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentration.

pH= log 1 or –log H+

H+

Therefore increased H+ ions correspond to a low pH and vice versa. Also every unit
change in pH actually represents a ten fold change in hydrogen ion concentration. This
means a solution with a pH of 7 has hydrogen ions ten times less than that of a solution
with a pH of 5.

Significance of pH

All biological reactions in vivo and in vitro are greatly influenced by the hydrogen ion
concentration of the surrounding medium. The pH of human plasma is maintained
between 7.35 and 7.45. If this range is disturbed, a fatal illness or death may occur.

FLUID pH
Saliva 6.4-6.9
Gastric juice 1.3-2.6
Pancreatic juice 8.0-8.3
Bile (Hepatic) 7.4-8.5
Bile (Gall bladder) 5.4-6.9
Urine 4.8-3.5
Blood Plasma and CSF 7.35-7.45

Buffers

A solution which can resist changes in its pH when a small amount of acid or base is
added to it. They mainly are of two types:

1. A mixture of a weak acid with the salt of its strong conjugate base. For example
acetic acid and sodium acetate.

2. A mixture of a weak base with the salt of its strong conjugated acid. For example
sodium mono hydrogen phosphate and sodium hydrogen phosphate
Carbonate Buffer System (HCO3/ H2CO3)

It is the main buffer system of plasma and it removes the CO2 produced in tissues during
metabolism. This CO2 combines with water and forms Carbonic acid which then
dissociates into a hydrogen ion and bicarbonate ion.

CO2 + H2O ↔ H2CO3 ↔ H+ + HCO3-

Other buffer systems in our body are the plasma protein hemoglobin buffer system
(HHbO2 / HHb) and Phosphate buffer system (HPO4‾2/ H2PO41‾).

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

It provides a quantitative correlation between pH, pKa and buffering capacity. Suppose a
weak acid dissociates into H+ ions and A- ions

HA ↔ H+ + A‾

Dissociation of a weak acid is described by dissociation constant

H+ A‾ HA
Ka = ———— Ka ——— = H+
HA A‾

taking the –log on both sides

HA
-log Ka –log —— = -log H+
A‾

HA
pKa -log ——= pH
A‾

Inverting –log HA over A‾ converts the log from negative to positive

A‾
pKa +log —— = pH
HA
 Conjugation base
pH= pKa + log ———————
Acid

When pH = pka , the buffering capacity is maximum

Determination of pH

1. By using indicators
2. pH paper
3. Yamada’s universal indicator
4. pH meter
.

Indicators

Very weak organic acid and base which undergo change in structure with consequent
change of color in the presence of certain hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions. Indicators are
mostly organic dyes of natural and synthetic nature.

Indicator pH range Color in acid Color in base

Thymol blue 1.2-2.8 red Yellow

Methyl orange 3.1-4.4 red Orange yellow
Phenolpthalein 9.3-10 colorless red
Phenol red 6.7-8.3 yellow Red

pH Paper/ Litmus Paper

An acidic solution turns a blue litmus paper red and an alkaline solution turns red litmus
paper blue. They are accompanied by charts which shows different colors which the
indicator exhibits with different pH.
Yamada’s universal indicator

Indicates the pH of the substance in a more complex way than most pH indicators;
instead of changing colors, the pH of the substance exposed is above or below a certain
point. The universal indicator changes to a color that is calibrated to indicate the pH of a
substance.

pH meter

A pH meter is an electronic device for determination of pH. The column of the pH meter
is directly dipped in a beaker containing a solution of unknown pH. After sometime, the
pH of the solution can be read from a scale on the meter.

Respiratory Acidosis

It is a result of abnormal carbon dioxide retention arising from hypoventilation, as less

than normal amount of CO2 is lost through the lungs, thus, resulting in carbonic acid
formation and this dissociation leads to an elevation of H+ concentration. For example-
lung disease.

Respiratory Alkalosis

There is an extensive loss of CO2 from the body as a result of hyperventilation-for e.g.
Fever, anxiety, and aspirin poisoning.

Metabolic Acidosis

Reduction in plasma bicarbonate ions leads to metabolic acidosis- for e.g. severe
diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, heavy exercise and urinary acidosis.

Metabolic Alkalosis

Reduction in plasma H+ ion concentration lead to metabolic alkalosis- vomiting,

ingestion of alkalis.