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Blood Buffers
Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level 
Why do this problem?
This problem provides a meaningful logarithmic challenge leading up to the derivation of the experimentally observable titration curve. It will introduce along the way many fascinating ideas from chemistry and human biology whilst keeping the focus entirely mathematical.Possible approach
This question is best studied individually. There is a lot of
information to process and make sense of.
Key questions
At each stage, how does the science have a clear, precise
mathematical meaning?
Possible extension
Students who make it to the end of this question are doing
very well. They might like to pursue the ideas raised in
undergraduate science books.
Possible support
You might try and get started using the pH formula with the
problem Temperature
pH
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bioNRICH
bioNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of the biological sciences, designed to help develop the mathematics required to get the most from your study of biology at A-level and university.
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