Amino acid buffers

Amino acid buffers are substances that help maintain stable pH levels in solutions, particularly in biological systems. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, can act as buffers because they have both acidic and basic properties. This means they can absorb excess hydrogen ions (which make solutions more acidic) or release them (making solutions more basic) to keep the environment balanced. This buffering action is crucial in living organisms, as many biochemical processes depend on stable pH for optimal function. Simply put, amino acid buffers help regulate acidity and alkalinity, supporting life’s essential activities.