The human body maintains a narrow pH range regulated through acid-base balance. This balance is crucial as changes in the hydrogen ion concentration can disrupt cell membrane stability, alter protein structures, and change enzyme activities. The normal pH of arterial blood is 7.4, venous blood and interstitial fluid is 7.35, and intracellular fluid averages 7.0.
When the pH of arterial blood rises above 7.45, it results in a condition called alkalosis. Conversely, a drop below 7.35 leads to acidosis. These conditions affect all body systems, particularly the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Severe acidosis can be fatal, causing central nervous system deterioration, weak and irregular cardiac contractions, and a dramatic decrease in blood pressure, potentially leading to circulatory collapse.
Several mechanisms come into play to maintain the pH of body fluids. They include buffer systems and compensations by the respiratory and urinary systems, which work together to keep body pH within narrow limits.
Chemical buffers bind and release hydrogen ions to resist pH fluctuations, ensuring stability. Respiratory compensation involves adjusting breathing rate and depth to control carbon dioxide and carbonic acid concentrations in the blood. Renal regulation, carried out by the kidneys, modulates the secretion and reabsorption rates of hydrogen and bicarbonate ions in response to blood pH changes, contributing to the overall maintenance of the body's acid-base equilibrium.
From Chapter 30:
Now Playing
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
141 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
268 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
215 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
216 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
198 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
160 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
174 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
86 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
65 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
70 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
87 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
244 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
265 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
377 Views
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
264 Views
See More
Copyright © 2025 MyJoVE Corporation. All rights reserved