Biological functions involving humans and animals are complicated. Scientists can not accurately determining the functions of brains, and the complexity of our cardiovascular systems are astonishing to say the least. Yet when it comes to blood, scientists and doctors seem to understand more and more.
Blood pH is very important to health. Improper balance of pH is known as either acidosis and alkalosis dependant on whether blood is basic or acidic. The human body attempts to regulate the pH to approximately 7.35-7.45 by either reducing or increasing the retention of CO2 from the kidneys to the lungs, or by a utilizing bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the blood that acts as a amphiprotic substance. An amphiprotic substance can be utilized as both an acid or a base, dependant on what is needed.
The lungs and the brain control the output of carbon dioxide, a weak acid, to regulate pH levels within the body. The brain monitors the intake of oxygen and the blood pH levels to inform the lungs how much carbon dioxide to release. The more that is released, the more basic blood becomes. The kidneys then release excess amounts of acids or bases over the course of a few days dependant on the severity of pH. Later is better than never at all, though it is effective, the time frame renders certain issues. The body also produces buffer systems to maintain blood pH at certain levels. The body produces carbonic acid (weak acid) and bicarbonate ions (weak bases) that help maintain steady levels of pH in blood.
Without these systems, the smallest amount of exercise can cause death due to the lactic acid being released during muscle movement. Blood pH keeps vital organs from burning from the inside by acid, and keeps the same for bases as well. Without these systems for regulation, life would be incredibly difficult to form and maintain, where food would result solely from water (Neutral in pH).
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