Carbonic acid

Definition

Carbonic acid is a weak acid formed when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. It plays a role in maintaining pH balance and can influence microbial growth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+), impacting the pH of solutions.
2. Its formation and dissociation are part of the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system, crucial for maintaining blood pH.
3. In microbiology, carbonic acid can affect the efficacy of disinfectants by altering environmental pH.
4. Microorganisms may modify their environment's pH through metabolic activities that produce CO2, indirectly increasing carbonic acid levels.
5. The presence of carbonic acid can influence the solubility and activity of other chemical agents used to control microbial growth.

Review Questions

• How does carbonic acid form in aqueous solutions?
• What role does carbonic acid play in the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system?
• Why is it important to consider the effects of carbonic acid when using chemicals to control microorganisms?

Related terms

Bicarbonate: A key component of the buffering system that helps maintain pH balance by neutralizing acids.

pH:

A scale used to measure how acidic or basic a solution is, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic).

Buffer System: A mixture of molecules that resist changes in pH by neutralizing added acids or bases.