Final answer:
Guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) in Buffer N3 helps maintain the pH level by reacting with added acids or bases to prevent drastic pH changes, which is a fundamental characteristic of buffers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of Guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) in Buffer N3 can be understood by examining how buffers work. Buffers maintain a stable pH when acids or bases are added to the solution because they contain a mixture of weak acids or weak bases and their corresponding salts. An example is the system composed of acetic acid (HC2H3O2) and sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2). When a strong base is added, it reacts with the acetic acid in the buffer to produce water and the conjugate base, rather than drastically altering the pH. Guanidine hydrochloride plays a similar role in Buffer N3 by helping to maintain the solution's pH level when there are changes in the system, such as the addition of an acid or a base, that would otherwise shift the pH.
A buffer is a solution that helps maintain a relatively constant pH when acid or base is added to it. Guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) is often used as a denaturant in protein folding studies and can disrupt the structure of proteins. In the context of Buffer N3, GuHCl may be added to modify the properties of the buffer solution, such as protein unfolding and stabilization. It is important to note that the specific role of GuHCl in Buffer N3 would require further information on the composition and purpose of the buffer.