Buffer

A buffer solution consists of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. Buffer solutions are designed to keep the ph constant in a variety of chemical and biological applications. Their resistance to ph changes make them very useful in chemical manufacturing and necessary for many biological processes. PBS buffer, TRIS buffer, and SDS buffer are all used in biological applications such as SDS-PAGE and ELISAs. Buffer preparation is critical as any change in concentration of solute will alter the buffer capacity. The bicarbonate buffer system plays a crucial role in maintaining the ph of blood in humans. Biochemical reactions in the human body require a very specific ph range and if the ph changes one can suffer severe physiological damage. Teknova, Mediatech, and Mallinckrodt supply buffers for various chemical and biological applications.