Our blood is able to maintain a pH of about 7.5 because our body acts like a buffer solution. Regulating pH is crucial so that our protein structures remain intact and functional. Which statement about protein in the human body is NOT correct?
a. Protein consists partially of amine groups that are neutral as a result of protonation (of one H+ ion).
b. Protein contains deprotonated carboxylate groups, resulting in a negative charge.
c. The carboxylate groups in protein act very much like carboxylic acid groups (-COOH), except that they are deprotonated.
d. If the human body did not act like a buffer solution, each time you ingested an acid the carboxylate groups would protonate, causing the protein structure to disintegrate.
What is the pH of a buffer solution comprised of 3.95 M HCOOH and 0.35 M HCOO- in a 1 L solution after 0.30 mol NaOH (where Ka = 1.77 x 10-4) is added?
a. 3.65
b. 9.94
c. 4.30
d. 3.00