Final answer:
The normal pH range for body fluids, specifically blood plasma, is between 7.35 and 7.45, slightly alkaline. The body uses buffers like the bicarbonate system to maintain this range, and deviations can cause acidosis or alkalosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The normal pH range of human body fluids, particularly blood plasma, is tightly regulated between 7.35 and 7.45. This range is slightly alkaline, which means it is above the neutral pH of 7.0. The pH scale itself spans from 0 to 14, with values below 7 being acidic and those above 7 being alkaline. The human body utilizes buffer systems, such as the bicarbonate system, to maintain this delicate balance in the bloodstream. Homeostatic mechanisms play a critical role in this regulation, and any substantial deviations can lead to conditions dubbed acidosis (when the pH drops too low) or alkalosis (when the pH rises too high), both of which can be life-threatening.
It is a common misconception that the pH scale ranges where anything below 7 is alkaline and above 7 is acidic; it is actually the reverse. Buffers are essential in keeping blood pH within its normal range, counteracting the acidity produced from carbon dioxide. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is a mathematical expression that relates to the pH balance and buffering capacity within the body.