Buffers
What is a Buffer?
A buffer is a solution composed of a conjugate acid-base pair that maintains an almost constant pH when diluted or with the addition of a strong acid or base. Buffers can be synthesized but can also exist naturally and play an important role in many biological processes.
A buffer is a solution composed of a conjugate acid-base pair that maintains an almost constant pH when diluted or with the addition of a strong acid or base. Buffers can be synthesized but can also exist naturally and play an important role in many biological processes.
LESSON OVERVIEW (SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS E1.2, E2.1, E3.8)
Lesson Hook-Buffers in Action:
Students do not often realize that the food that they consume can be relatively acidic or basic. Preform a brief demonstration of finding the pH of a few common foods, such as orange juice or vinegar for example, and then have students write down what they have had to eat that day and label each thing as an acid or base to the best of their ability. Then pose the following question-how do you think your body is able to process such acidic and basic food without it becoming life-threatening? Follow up by showing the video courtesy of YouTube on the buffering nature of blood given below.
Students do not often realize that the food that they consume can be relatively acidic or basic. Preform a brief demonstration of finding the pH of a few common foods, such as orange juice or vinegar for example, and then have students write down what they have had to eat that day and label each thing as an acid or base to the best of their ability. Then pose the following question-how do you think your body is able to process such acidic and basic food without it becoming life-threatening? Follow up by showing the video courtesy of YouTube on the buffering nature of blood given below.
Action:
Have students briefly investigate the properties of buffers using a fantastic interactive simulation created by Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC). For a more inquiry based approach, have students preform the simulation before describing the nature and properties of buffers. Click below to be redirected YVCC buffer titration simulation.
Have students briefly investigate the properties of buffers using a fantastic interactive simulation created by Yakima Valley Community College (YVCC). For a more inquiry based approach, have students preform the simulation before describing the nature and properties of buffers. Click below to be redirected YVCC buffer titration simulation.
Buffers play an important role in many biological processes, and in consumer, commercial, and industrial applications. This is an ideal subject for independent student research on applications of conjugates acids and bases present in buffer solutions. Have students research an application of buffers and then present their findings in a poster, flyer or presentation format. Please click below for a list of potential topics and example rubrics that can be adapted to fit specific class requirements. Please note that these rubric were created through Recipes4Success-a website that has a variety of resources, one of which is an automatic rubric generator.
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Debrief:
Have students share their current findings as a brief 5 minute summary. Note that for students who may not demonstrate their learning best through oral presentations, an option for writing a brief summary-in an exit slip type format-would also suffice.
FOPP: Commitment to students and student learning, professional knowledge, professional practice and ongoing professional learning
Have students share their current findings as a brief 5 minute summary. Note that for students who may not demonstrate their learning best through oral presentations, an option for writing a brief summary-in an exit slip type format-would also suffice.
FOPP: Commitment to students and student learning, professional knowledge, professional practice and ongoing professional learning
The concept of Buffers can be reinforced in a variety of ways to appeal to all forms of multiple intellegences. Click below for a few resources that can be used in conjunction with a lesson to further demonstrate the concept of Buffers.