Concept of pH using Indicators

pH is defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration (H+) in a solution.
Thus, pH means the power of hydrogen. The concept of pH is essential in chemistry and biology, as it
quantitatively measures the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous or any other liquid solution.
The concept of pH involves using the pH scale for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of any solution.
This concept of pH and pH measurement was developed first by a Danish Scientist.

pH=−log[H+]

The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with pH values below 7 indicating acidic solutions, values above 7
indicating alkaline solutions, and 7 representing neutrality. While very strong acids might have a
negative pH. Very strong bases can have a pH greater than 14. Accurate determination of pH is
critical in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science.

Quantitatively, a universal indicator is used to determine the acid strength and base strength, which
works by showing different colours at different concentrations of the hydrogen ions in the solution.
Most commonly, the value of pH of bases and acids is used to determine their quantitative strength.

pH Determination Using Indicators

Indicators are chemical substances that change colour depending on the pH of the solution they are
added to. They are widely used for determining the pH of a solution qualitatively and, in some cases,
quantitatively.

How Indicators Work

Indicators are weak acids or bases that exist in equilibrium between their undissociated and
dissociated forms. Each form has a distinct colour. The general reaction can be written as:

HInd (acid for

m)↔H++Ind−
(base form)
The color observed depends on the ratio of the acid form to the base form, which is influenced by
.
the solution's pH. A variety of indicators change colour at various pH levels The choice of indicator
depends on the pH range of the solution being tested. some of the indicators are:

Indicator Colour in Acidic Colour in Basic pH Range of

Solution Solution Transition
 Litmus Red Blue ~4.5–8.3

Methyl Orange Red Yellow ~3.1–4.4

Bromothymol Blue Yellow Blue ~6.0–7.6

Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink ~8.2–10.0

Colour Range of Universal Indicator

Universal indicators are a mixture of several pH indicators that can indicate a wider pH range. The
above mention indicators are selected because their transition ranges span across the entire pH scale
(0–14), ensuring that each pH value corresponds to a unique colour.

The colours produced by a universal indicator at different pH levels are as follows:

pH Value Colour Nature of

Solution

0–3 Red Strongly Acidic

4–6 Orange/Yellow Weakly Acidic
7 Green Neutral

8–11 Blue Weakly Basic

12–14 Violet/Purple Strongly Basic

Determination of pH Using Buffer Solutions
Buffer solutions resist changes in pH when small amounts of acids or bases are added. They are
composed of a weak acid and its conjugate base (e.g., acetic acid and sodium acetate) or a weak base
and its conjugate acid (e.g., ammonia and ammonium chloride).

The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation describes their behavior:

pH=pKa+log⁡
([A−][HA])

where [A −] is the concentration of the conjugate base, [HA] is the concentration of the acid and pKa
The dissociation constant of the weak acid.

Buffer solutions are instrumental in pH calibration. They are particularly useful for calibrating pH
meters and ensuring accurate pH measurements in various chemical and biological systems.

Standard buffer solutions with known pH values (e.g., pH 4.0, 7.0, and 10.0) are used to calibrate pH
meters, ensuring accurate measurements.

Biological Importance of pH and Buffers

1. Cellular Function:
Enzymes, the biological catalysts, operate optimally within specific pH ranges. For example,
pepsin, a digestive enzyme, functions best in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH ~2),
while trypsin works in the slightly alkaline conditions of the small intestine (pH ~8).

2. Blood pH Regulation:
Human blood has a tightly regulated pH of about 7.4, maintained by buffer systems such as
the bicarbonate buffer:
H2CO3⇋H+ + HCO3-. Any deviation from this pH range can result in acidosis or alkalosis,
both of which can be life-threatening.

3. Agriculture and Environment:

Soil pH affects nutrient availability and microbial activity, influencing plant growth. Similarly,
aquatic ecosystems depend on stable pH levels to support aquatic life.

4. Pharmaceuticals and Medicine:

Drug stability and absorption often depend on pH. For example, the stomach's acidic
environment affects the dissolution of oral medications.

Biological Importance of pH

1. Enzyme Activity:

o Enzymes are highly pH-sensitive and function optimally within specific pH ranges.
 o For example, pepsin, an enzyme in the stomach, works best in an acidic environment
(pH ~1.5–2), whereas amylase in saliva functions optimally at a neutral pH (~7).

2. Metabolic Processes:

o Many metabolic reactions depend on precise pH conditions. For instance, cellular

respiration and energy production pathways like glycolysis and the citric acid cycle
are pH-dependent.

3. Blood pH Regulation:

o Blood pH is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45. Deviations can result in acidosis
(pH < 7.35) or alkalosis (pH > 7.45), which can impair organ function and even lead
to fatal outcomes.

4. Nutrient Availability in Plants:

o Soil pH affects the solubility and uptake of nutrients by plants. For instance, iron and
phosphorus are less available in alkaline soils, which can hinder plant growth.

5. Microbial Growth:

o The growth of microorganisms depends on pH. Pathogens like Helicobacter pylori

thrive in acidic environments, while most bacteria prefer neutral pH levels.

Biological Importance of Buffers

Buffers are critical in maintaining pH stability in biological systems, preventing harmful fluctuations
that could disrupt biochemical processes.

1. Maintaining Homeostasis:

o Buffers help maintain constant pH levels in body fluids like blood, ensuring that
physiological processes proceed efficiently.

o The bicarbonate buffer system (H2CO3/HCO3−\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3 / \

text{HCO}_3^-H2CO3/HCO3−) is crucial for regulating blood pH.

2. Intracellular and Extracellular pH Stability:

o Cellular processes such as protein synthesis, DNA replication, and signal transduction
depend on a stable intracellular pH.

o Buffers in cytoplasm and extracellular fluids help maintain these optimal conditions.

3. Enzyme Function:

o Buffer systems stabilize the pH of enzymatic reactions, ensuring that enzymes

maintain their structure and activity.

4. Digestive Systems:

o Buffers are vital in the gastrointestinal tract to neutralize stomach acid when it enters
the small intestine, preventing damage and creating the right pH for enzyme action.
5. Medical Applications:

o Buffer solutions are used in intravenous fluids, medications, and diagnostic tests to
stabilize pH and mimic natural biological conditions.