One of the main functions of saliva is to buffer against acid from food and plaque, which contributes significantly to the formation of cavities. while there are several buffers in saliva, carbonic acid (h2co3) has the highest concentration and has the greatest effect on ph.

While the salivary concentration of carbonic acid stays at a fairly constant 1.3 mM, the level of bicarbonate (HCO3-) can vary with the rate that saliva flows from salivary glands. For low flow rates, the bicarbonate concentration is around 2 mM; for medium flow rates, it is 30 mM; and for high flow rates, around 60 mM. The pKa of carbonic acid at body temperature is 6.1.

Explanation:

Assuming that the pH of Saliva is determined primarily by carbonic acid and bicarbonate, determine the pH of saliva for each of the three flow rates. The normal pH of saliva is about 6.3.

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