Question

Fluids/ Electrolytes/Acid/base: There are 2 substances in the body that are acidic. What are they and how does the body work to normalize blood pH if it goes out of range, too alkaline or too acid?

Answer 1

HCL in stomach

Lactic Acid in Muscles

Human blood contains a buffer of carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate anion (HCO3-) in order to maintain blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, as a value higher than 7.8 or lower than 6.8 can lead to death. In this buffer, hydronium and bicarbonate anion are in equilibrium with carbonic acid. Furthermore, the carbonic acid in the first equilibrium can decompose into CO2 gas and water, resulting in a second equilibrium system between carbonic acid and water. Because CO2 is an important component of the blood buffer, its regulation in the body, as well as that of O2 , is extremely important. The effect of this can be important when the human body is subjected to strenuous conditions.

In the body, there exists another equilibrium between hydronium and oxygen which involves the binding ability of hemoglobin. An increase in hydronium causes this equilibrium to shift towards the oxygen side, thus releasing oxygen from hemoglobin molecules into the surrounding tissues/cells. This system continues during exercise, providing continuous oxygen to working tissues.