Why are buffers necessary for life?
well, i suppose you’re referring to the human body… in that case, buffers are needed so that we do not shift into an acidotic state, stay there, and die. three main ways of controlling acid-base balance of the body fluids are: respiratory system ; renal (kidney) mechanisms; & chemical buffers (instant – prevents big changes in ph). the three buffers used to prevent large charges in the acid-base balance: bicarbonate buffer: h2co3 (carbonic acid) +nahco3 (sodium bicarbonate) phosphate buffer: nah2po4 (sodium dihydrogen phosphate) –weak acid nahpo4 (sodium monohydrogen phosphate) – weak base protein buffer: hemoglobin buffers. hope that helps.
