Question

What are the two different carbonate equations (basic and midrange pairs) and which carbonate pair acts as a buffer in the bloodstream?

Note: you started with carbonate ions (CO32-) and added hydrogen ions (H+)

Answer 1

The buffer which works in our blood stream is carbonate and bicarbonate buffer.

NaHCO₃ + HCl -----> H₂CO₃ + NaCl

H₂CO₃ + NaOH -----> HCO_{3 ^-} + H₂O

When sodium bicarbonate comes into contact with a strong acid such as HCl , carbonic acid which is a weak acid and NaCl is formed. When carbonic acid comes into contact with a strong base such as NaOH, bicarbonate and water is formed.