Editing Conjugate (acid-base theory) (section)

==Applications==
One use of conjugate acids and bases lies in buffering systems, which include a [[buffer solution]]. In a buffer, a weak acid and its conjugate base (in the form of a salt), or a weak base and its conjugate acid, are used in order to limit the pH change during a titration process. Buffers have both organic and non-organic chemical applications. For example, besides buffers being used in lab processes, human blood acts as a buffer to maintain pH. The most important buffer in our bloodstream is the [[Bicarbonate buffering system|carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer]], which prevents drastic pH changes when {{Chem|CO|2}} is introduced. This functions as such:{{cn|date=May 2025}}
<chem display="block">CO2 + H2O <=> H2CO3 <=> HCO3^- + H+</chem>

Furthermore, here is a table of common buffers.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Buffering agent!!pK<sub>a</sub>!!Useful pH range
|-
|[[Citric acid]]||3.13, 4.76, 6.40||2.1 - 7.4
|-
|[[Acetic acid]]||4.8||3.8 - 5.8
|-
|[[potassium dihydrogenphosphate|KH<sub>2</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>]]||7.2|| 6.2 - 8.2
|-
|[[N-Cyclohexyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid|CHES]]||9.3|| 8.3–10.3
|-
|[[Borate]]||9.24||8.25 - 10.25
|}

A second common application with an organic compound would be the production of a buffer with acetic acid. If acetic acid, a weak acid with the formula {{Chem|CH|3|COOH}}, was made into a buffer solution, it would need to be combined with its conjugate base {{Chem|CH|3|COO|-}} in the form of a salt. The resulting mixture is called an acetate buffer, consisting of aqueous {{Chem|CH|3|COOH}} and aqueous {{Chem|CH|3|COO|Na}}. Acetic acid, along with many other weak acids, serve as useful components of buffers in different lab settings, each useful within their own pH range.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

[[Ringer's lactate solution]] is an example where the conjugate base of an organic acid, [[lactic acid]], {{chem|CH|3|CH(OH)CO|2|−}} is combined with sodium, calcium and potassium cations and chloride anions in distilled water<ref name=BNF69>{{cite book|title=British national formulary: BNF 69|date=2015|publisher=British Medical Association|isbn=9780857111562|page=683|edition=69}}</ref> which together form a fluid which is [[Tonicity#Isotonicity|isotonic]] in relation to human blood and is used for [[Fluid replacement|fluid resuscitation]] after [[blood loss]] due to [[Physical trauma|trauma]], [[surgery]], or a [[burn injury]].<ref name="PestanaFifth">{{cite book |last1=Pestana |first1=Carlos |title=Pestana's Surgery Notes |date=7 April 2020 |publisher=Kaplan Medical Test Prep |isbn=978-1506254340 |pages=4–5 |edition=Fifth }}</ref>