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Why This Matters for Nursing: Understanding reactions and pH is essential for interpreting blood gases, understanding medication interactions, and recognizing acid-base imbalances that can be life-threatening.
A chemical reaction occurs when substances interact to form new substances with different properties.
General form: Reactants → Products
pH Scale: "pH = Power of Hydrogen" - Low pH = ACIDIC (more H⁺) - High pH = BASIC (less H⁺) - pH 7 = NEUTRAL
Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 (slightly basic) "Basic blood keeps you alive"
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesis | A + B → AB | 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O |
| Decomposition | AB → A + B | 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂ |
| Single replacement | A + BC → AC + B | Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂ |
| Double replacement | AB + CD → AD + CB | NaCl + AgNO₃ → AgCl + NaNO₃ |
| Combustion | Fuel + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O | CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O |
Enzymes are biological catalysts that: - Speed up reactions without being consumed - Lower activation energy needed - Are specific to certain reactions - Are proteins
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Too high → denatures enzyme |
| pH | Each enzyme has optimal pH |
| Substrate concentration | More substrate → faster (until saturated) |
| Property | Acids | Bases |
|---|---|---|
| pH | Below 7 | Above 7 |
| H⁺ concentration | High | Low |
| OH⁻ concentration | Low | High |
| Taste | Sour | Bitter |
| Examples | HCl, vinegar, lemon | NaOH, bleach, soap |
| Substance | Type | Location/Function |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrochloric acid (HCl) | Acid | Stomach acid |
| Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) | Base | Blood buffer |
| Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) | Acid | Blood buffer |
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