Question: Define pH, and explain how the pH scale relates to acidity and alkalinity.

Answer:

Question: What is the significance of pH in physiological systems?

Answer: If the body is to maintain homeostasis and thus health, the pH of different body fluids must remain within a fairly narrow range.

Question: acid

Answer: a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a water solution when dissociation occurs; strong acids dissociate completely like HCI

Question: Base

Answer: a substance that removes hydrogen ions (H+) in a water solution by releasing hyrdoxyl ions (OH-) to form water molecules with the hydrogen; a strong base dissociates completely like NaOH

Question: salt

Answer: an ionic compound containing any cation except a hydrogen ion, and any anion except a hydroxide ion