What impact does CO2 have on the solvent it is dissolved into?

9.2. Perform a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the effect of dissolved carbon dioxide on the pH of water Why does our body produce CO2? In the body, the process of cellular respiration allows the access of chemical energy from organic molecules (glucose is used to power the production of ATP); where one of the products is CO2. How does CO2 go from cells to blood? CO2 diffuses along a concentration gradient from the cells into the interstitial fluid. On entering the capillary, CO2 initiates instantaneous physical and chemical reactions to be diffused in blood through the binding with Haemoglobin, dissolution in plasma or dissolution as hydrogen carbonate ions. Why isnt CO2 carried mainly by Haemoglobin? The transport of CO2 through Haemoglobin is not efficient since the enzyme is specific to oxygen; therefore, it is likely to be competitive inhibited. The most efficient method of carbon dioxide transport in blood involves the transportation as dissolved hydrogen carbonate ions. Explain with the aid of the an equation how pH could be altered CO2 reacting with water The increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions leads to the reduction of pH. CO2 (aq) + H2O (l) H2CO3 (aq) H2CO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq) Explain why a change in pH would be bad Change of pH disputes homeostasis and therefore reducing metabolic optimum efficiency. This occurs since change of pH alters the conformation of enzymes active sites, reducing its ability to bind with its specific substrates.

Aim: investigate the effects of dissolved CO2 on the pH of water Hypothesis: the greater concentration of dissolved CO2 in water causes the water to become be acidic. This occurs because carbon dioxide would react with water to form carbonic acid that in turns breaks down into hydrogen ions and hydrogen carbonate ions. Equipment: 200mL Measuring Cylinder Beaker Data Logger 4x Straw Tap Water

Method 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Results Time 0 2 4 6 Trial 1 8.9 8.83 8.74 8.68 Trial 2 8.88 8.87 8.87 8.86 Trial 3 8.88 8.89 8.89 8.89 With the measuring cylinder, 200mL of tap water was poured into a beaker The pH probe/data logger was placed in the water With the straw, air blown into the water for 1 minute The pH of water was measured with the data logger and recorded every 2 seconded interval. The experiment was repeated three more times

[CO2 (aq)] and pH 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 8.57 8.47 8.38 8.3 8.23 8.17 8.11 8.06 8.01 7.98 7.97 7.95 7.95 7.93 7.91 7.91 7.93 7.92 7.89 7.9 7.92 7.93 7.91 7.92 7.91 7.9 7.88 8.84 8.83 8.78 8.74 8.71 8.62 8.55 8.53 8.47 8.29 8.33 8.34 8.34 8.24 8.16 8.11 8.16 8.03 8.03 8.01 7.99 7.96 7.94 7.97 7.96 7.95 7.94 8.88 8.84 8.79 8.70 8.64 8.64 8.58 8.52 8.47 8.41 8.36 8.32 8.29 8.22 8.20 8.17 8.13 8.11 8.09 8.07 8.09 8.06 8.04 8.01 7.97 7.97 7.97

1. Graph Time vs. pH where pH is the dependent variable 2. Make a written statement of what you observed during the experiment During the experiment, the blowing through the straw into the water led to the formation of bubbles and the splashing of water. The data logger registered a decrease in pH of the water. Discussion 1. Explain why the pH changed during the course of experiment Through blowing into the water through straw, carbon dioxide is dissolved into the water. The carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid that subsequently breaks down into hydrogen ions and hydrogen carbonate ions. The increase of concentration of hydrogen ions would decrease the pH of water during the experiment. 2. Explain why a change of pH is concern for our health Change in pH alters the efficiency of enzymes and their function as biological catalysts to control metabolic rate. This is because it alters the conformation of enzymes active sites, reducing its ability to bind with its specific substrates. Hence, change of pH disputes homeostasis and therefore reduce metabolic optimum efficiency. 3. Suggest how our bodies counteract this change Our body contains buffer system that can absorb hydrogen or hydroxide ions, therefore counteract or reducing the change. In addition, our body also have systems that function together to remove these wastes- that increase acidity during accumulation- from the by-product of cellular respiration. For instance, the circulatory and respiratory system works together to remove CO2 from the body cells into the external environment. CO2 diffuses along a concentration gradient from the cells into the interstitial fluid. On entering the capillary, CO2 initiates instantaneous physical and chemical reactions to be diffused

in blood through the binding with Haemoglobin, dissolution in plasma or dissolution as hydrogen carbonate ions. The ions through the blood travel to the lungs that diffuse to the alveoli as gas and then excreted from the body. 4. Suggest ways in which this experiment could be improved. Improve validity through using: equal volume of water, dimensions of the straw, source of water and same individual. Use a bottle of carbon dioxide to release carbon dioxide at a constant and controlled rate. Set as the equipment below to confirm the release of CO2 from the body into the water. 5. Identify the dependent, independent and control variables: Dependent: pH of water Independent: concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide Controls: Temperature, volume of water, dimensions (length, diameter) of the straw, source of water

Conclusion The experimental results demonstrate, through the progression of the reaction, that the greater concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide causes the decrease of pH of water. As a result, the hypothesis is correct where the greater amount of dissolution CO2 causes the water to become be acidic.