Bicarbonate Buffer
Bicarbonate Buffer: Primary blood buffer, Henderson-Hasselbalch. Step-by-step mechanism, reagents and practice.
What happens
Primary blood buffer, Henderson-Hasselbalch.
Reaction summary
H⁺ + HCO₃⁻ ⇌ H₂CO₃ ⇌ CO₂ + H₂O
Reagents and conditions
- Starting material: H⁺; HCO₃⁻
- Conditions: Physiological pH 7.4
- Products: CO₂; H₂O