| Veronal | <chemical> A long-acting barbiturate that depresses most metabolic processes at high doses. It is used as a hypnotic and sedative and may induce dependence. Barbital is also used in veterinary practice for central nervous system depression. Pharmacological action: gaba modulators, sedatives, barbiturate. Chemical name: 2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-Pyrimidinetrione, 5,5-diethyl- (12 Dec 1998) |
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| buffer | <biochemistry, chemistry> A system that acts to minimise the change in concentration of a specific chemical species in solution against addition or depletion of this species. PH buffers: weak acids or weak bases in aqueous solution. The working range is given by pKa +/ 1. Metal ion buffers: a metal ion chelator for example EDTA, partially saturated by the metal ion acts, as a buffer for the metal ion. (18 Nov 1997) |
| buffer capacity | <chemistry> The ability of a buffer solution to absorb added alkali or acid while maintaining the solution's pH. (09 Oct 1997) |
| buffer index | The power of a substance in solution to absorb acid or alkali without change in pH; this is highest at a pH value equal to the pKa value of the acid of the buffer pair. See: buffer capacity. Synonym: buffer index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| buffer pair | An acid and its conjugate base (anion). (05 Mar 2000) |
| buffer value | The power of a substance in solution to absorb acid or alkali without change in pH; this is highest at a pH value equal to the pKa value of the acid of the buffer pair. See: buffer capacity. Synonym: buffer index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| buffer value of the blood | The ability of the blood to compensate for additions of acid or alkali without disturbance of the pH. (05 Mar 2000) |
| buffer zone | <ecology> An area of land separating two distinct land uses that acts to soften or mitigate the effects of one land use on the other. (09 Oct 1997) |
| riparian buffer | Riparian areas that are managed to protect the aquatic and riparian ecosystem. A riparian buffer protects water quality and temperature, habitat along the banks, upland habitat for aquatic and riparian species, and some or all of the floodplain. (05 Dec 1998) |
| secondary buffer | See: Hamburger's law. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dipolar buffer | Buffer whose structure can include opposite charges. Synonym: dipolar buffer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| zwitterionic buffer | Buffer whose structure can include opposite charges. Synonym: dipolar buffer. (05 Mar 2000) |