Many important biochemicals are organic acids, such as pyruvic acid (pka = 2.50) and lactic acid (pka = 3.86). The conjugate base are pyruvate and lactate, respectively. Derermine for each acid, which form - the acid or the conjugate base - predominates at pH 7.4.
We can determine the acid and conjugate base by the following equation
Hendersen's Hassalbalch's equation
pH = pKa + log [salt] / [acid]
a) For pyruvic acid
pH = 7.4 = 2.5 + log [salt] / [acid]
log [salt] / [acid] = 4.9
[salt] / [acid] = 7.94 X 10^4
so here the concentration of salt > acid
So the conjugate base will predominate over acid
b) lactic acid
pH = pKa + log [salt] / [acid] = 7.4 = 3.86 + log[salt / [acid]
3.54 = log [salt] / [acid]
[salt] / [acid] = 3.46 X 10^3
so concentration of salt > concentration of acid
so conjugate base will predominate
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