pH and buffers

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The pH is power of hydrogen ions. The pH scale, ranges from 0 (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly basic or alkaline). A pH of 7.0, in the middle of this scale, is neutral. Blood is normally slightly basic, with a normal pH range of about 7.35 to 7.45. Usually the body maintains the pH of blood close to 7.40.
 
Blood acidity increases when the

#Level of acidic compounds in the body rises (through increased intake or production, or decreased elimination)
#Level of basic (alkaline) compounds in the body falls (through decreased intake or production, or increased elimination).

Blood alkalinity increases when the level of acid in the body decreases or when the level of base increases.

The body has developed 3 lines of defense to regulate the body's acid-base balance and maintain blood pH.
These are (1) Blood buffer system -- acts within seconds,
(2) Respiratory mechanism or system -- acts within 1 to 3 minutes,
(3) Renal mechanism system -- requires hours to days.

Blood buffers : A buffer may be defined as a solution of a weak acid and its salt with a strong base. Blood contains 3 buffer systems.
- The bicarbonate buffer system is an acid-base homeostatic mechanism involving the balance of carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, and carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to maintain pH in the blood and duodenum, among other tissues, to support proper metabolic function.

- Phosphate buffer system operates in the internal fluids of all cells. It consists of dihydrogen phosphate ions as the hydrogen ion donor (acid) and hydrogen phosphate ion as the ion acceptor (base). If additional hydroxide ions enter the cellular fluid, they are neutralised by the dihydrogen phosphate ion. If extra hydrogen ions enter the cellular fluid then they are neutralised by the hydrogen phosphate ion.

- Protein buffer system helps to maintain acidity in and around the cells. Haemoglobin makes an excellent buffer by binding to small amounts of acids in the blood, before they can alter the pH of the blood. Other proteins containing amino acid histidine are also good at buffering.

Respiratory mechanism
The respiratory mechanism is a way of controlling how much carbon dioxide is in the blood. Elevating arterial CO2 or decreasing pH increases the rhythmic stimulation of the respiratory muscles by the medulla. Normally control of CO2 is based on the rate and depth of ventilation.

Renal mechanism
The kidneys help maintain the acid–base balance by excreting hydrogen ions into the urine and reabsorbing bicarbonate from the urine.

I will try to cover new topics, next time.

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