Buffer solutions are routinely used in all labs. What are these and why are they used.
A buffer solution is the one that resists a change in pH on addition of either acid or base.
Why are they important: Biochemical work in the lab usually involves biochemical molecules which are weak electrolytes. Their ionic status varies with pH and so there is a need to stabilize the ionic status during the course of the experiment.
How it works: It consists of an aqueous mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base. During the experiment, any hydrogen ions generated are neutralised by conjugate base component while any bases generated are neutralized by unionised acid.
For more information, watch this video from MIT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZFIdpThd-s
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