 It is a solution that does not change the pH of a solution.  Consists of a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. It has the property that the pH of the solution changes very little when a small amount of strong acid or base is added to it.  Conjugate= (of an acid and a base) related by the loss or gain of a proton: NH 3 is a base conjugate to NH 4 +. NH 4 + is an acid conjugate to NH 3.

 A buffer solution is one which resists changes in pH when small quantities of an acid or an alkali are added to it.  An acidic buffer solution is simply one which has a pH less than 7. Acidic buffer solutions are commonly made from a weak acid and one of its salts - often a sodium salt.  An alkaline buffer solution has a pH greater than 7. Alkaline buffer solutions are commonly made from a weak base and one of its salts.

 One example of a buffer solution is blood as many life forms thrive only in a relatively small pH range.

 A buffer solution has to contain things which will remove any hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions that you might add to it - otherwise the pH will change. Acidic and alkaline buffer solutions achieve this in different ways.

 Our body uses buffers to maintain a blood pH of , and also in a massive number of biochemical reactions involving enzymes.  Used in biological experiments in the lab, especially those pertaining to proteins or DNA.  Buffer solutions are also widely used in industry. Industrial processes requiring buffer solutions include fermentation, controlling dye processes and manufacturing pharmaceuticals.  In research, buffers are used all the time to run biochemical assays. The pH must remain relatively constant for such assays, thus a buffer solution is used.

 It is also used in patch testing. Acid and alkaline products must usually be diluted before patch testing in order to be non-irritant. The use of ordinary solvents for the dilution often means low-concentration products to be tested. By using buffer solutions, the possible test concentrations can be increased at least many hundred fold.  In research, buffers are used all the time to run biochemical assays. The pH must remain relatively constant for such assays, thus a buffer solution is used.

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