Final answer:
Buffers in animal cells are effective because they can absorb excess hydrogen and hydroxide ions, which prevents changes in pH levels. Proteins, due to their amino and carboxyl groups, along with the bicarbonate system and other chemicals like hemoglobin and albumin contribute to the cell's buffering capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some of the most common buffers in animal cells are effective because they can absorb excess hydrogen and hydroxide ions to prevent fluctuations in pH levels. For example, proteins, which are composed of amino acids with positively charged amino groups and negatively charged carboxyl groups, can bind these ions, allowing them to function effectively as buffers. This buffering by proteins constitutes a significant portion of the buffering power within cellular structures and blood.
Hemoglobin, a key protein found within red blood cells, plays an additional role in buffering, as it makes up a third of the cell mass and contributes to the overall buffering capacity. Furthermore, the bicarbonate buffering system in the human body is another critical example, where buffers absorb extra hydrogen ions to maintain a stable pH. Other chemical buffers include elements like albumin and antacids that help regulate pH and combat stomach acid.