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Histidine Buffer Formula:
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The histidine buffer formula calculates the concentration of histidine needed to achieve a desired buffer strength at a specific pH, taking into account the pKa value of histidine. This is essential for preparing biological buffers in laboratory settings.
The calculator uses the histidine buffer formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the proportion of histidine in its protonated form needed to achieve the desired buffering capacity at the specified pH.
Details: Accurate buffer preparation is crucial for maintaining stable pH conditions in biological experiments, protein studies, and cell culture applications.
Tips: Enter desired buffer strength in molar (M), target pH value, and the pKa value of histidine (typically around 6.0 for the imidazole group). All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What is the typical pKa value for histidine?
A: The imidazole group of histidine has a pKa of approximately 6.0, making it an effective buffer in the physiological pH range.
Q2: Why is histidine commonly used as a buffer?
A: Histidine is an amino acid with buffering capacity near physiological pH, making it ideal for biological applications and protein stabilization.
Q3: Can this formula be used for other buffers?
A: While based on the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, this specific form is tailored for histidine. Other buffers may require different calculations.
Q4: What factors affect buffer capacity?
A: Buffer capacity is highest when pH = pKa and decreases as the pH moves away from the pKa value. Temperature and ionic strength also affect buffering capacity.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation for practical applications?
A: This provides a theoretical calculation. In practice, factors like temperature, ionic strength, and the presence of other ions may require adjustment of the calculated concentration.