Phosphate Buffer Solution
Phosphate Buffer is a solution containing a mixture of phosphate salts in water, used to maintain a stable pH in various biological and chemical applications. It typically consists of a combination of disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4) and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4), which act as a weak acid-base pair, allowing the buffer solution to resist changes in pH upon addition of acid or base. Phosphate buffers are commonly employed in molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry techniques, such as enzyme assays, DNA and protein studies, and chromatography. They provide a stable environment for biological reactions and maintain the integrity of biological samples by preventing fluctuations in pH.