pH Buffers

pH buffers are solutions that help maintain a stable acidity or alkalinity level in a liquid. They contain a weak acid and its conjugate base (or vice versa), which work together to resist changes in pH when acids or bases are added. For example, in your blood, buffer systems keep the pH around 7.4, crucial for healthy bodily functions. Buffers act like a sponge, absorbing excess hydrogen ions (which make things more acidic) or releasing them (which makes things more alkaline), ensuring the pH remains balanced despite external influences.