Nearly all physiological activities depend on the body’s acid-base status. The body continuously produces acids. The body’s acid-base balance is kept in check by the production of bases, which balances out the acid production. Here, let’s discuss the importance of pH in the human body.
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Human Body pH
Regulation of body pH or acid-base balance is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body. Acid is a proton donor that releases hydrogen ions. Whereas bases are proton acceptors (accepts hydrogen ions). Even though the body is constantly producing acids, the concentration of free hydrogen ions is maintained at a pH of 7.4 with only minor variations.
What is pH?
A substance’s pH value indicates how acidic or alkaline it is. The “H” stands for hydrogen and pH determines the hydrogen ion concentration present in a particular substance.
Significance of pH
The body makes some compensatory changes whenever the pH fluctuates outside of the normal range in order to restore the pH to the desired level. The body controls the acid-base balance in three different ways:
1. A system of acid-base buffers that binds free H+
2. The respiratory system helps in the removal of CO2
3. The renal system helps in excreting H+ while preserving the bases
Let’s see why the renal and respiratory systems have to regulate the acid-base balance in the human body.
Also Check: pH of Blood
Disorders
pH balance is important because reduced or acidic pH (below 7.35 pH) leads to acidosis and increased or alkaline pH (above 7.45 pH) leads to alkalosis conditions in humans.
Respiratory acidosis
Alveolar hypoventilation is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis. In hypoventilation, CO2 cannot be expelled by the lungs. Thus, CO2 builds up in the blood, where it interacts with H2O to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid or respiratory acid breaks down to form H+ and HCO3-. The increased H+ content in the blood causes a decrease in pH level and thereby leads to acidosis.
Respiratory alkalosis
Likewise, hyperventilation leads to an excessive loss of CO2 from the body. Loss of CO2 results in less carbonic acid being formed and thus less H+ being released. Respiratory alkalosis results from an increase in pH caused by a decrease in H+ concentration.
Metabolic acidosis
It is characterised by an excessive buildup of organic acids like lactic acid, ketoacids, and uric acid.
Metabolic alkalosis
Some endocrine abnormalities such as renal tubular disorders, result in metabolic problems that induce H+ loss. Thus, the body’s pH and HCO3-. levels rise, causing metabolic alkalosis.
Thus pH balance is vital for the optimal functioning of the human body. This was a short note on the importance of pH in the human body. Explore more such important concepts with regards to NEET Biology, only at BYJU’S.
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