Question

What happens when a strong base reacts with a weak acid in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?

1) Formation of a salt
2) Formation of water
3) Increase in pH
4) Decrease in pH

Answer 1

When a strong base reacts with a weak acid in the ICF, it generally results in the formation of a salt and water, with an increase in pH due to excess OH- ions reducing the concentration of H+ ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a strong base reacts with a weak acid in the intracellular fluid (ICF), several events occur:

1. Formation of a salt: The acid-base reaction typically produces a salt, because the metal ion from the base replaces the hydrogen ion in the acid.
2. Formation of water: This is a common result of acid-base neutralization reactions, where a proton from the acid combines with the hydroxide ion from the base to form water (H2O).
3. Increase in pH: Because a strong base provides more OH- ions that react with the H+ ions of a weak acid, the concentration of H+ ions decreases, resulting in a higher pH.

The resultant mixture, mainly the formed salt, may undergo hydrolysis, depending on its composition. If the salt is derived from a strong base and a weak acid, as in this case, it can cause the solution to be slightly basic. This is because the conjugate base of the weak acid (the anion from the salt) may react with water to reform the weak acid and produce extra OH- ions, thereby increasing the basicity of the solution. Consequently, we see an increase in pH in the ICF when a strong base reacts with a weak acid.