Final answer:
The regulation of H+ concentration in the blood and extracellular fluid is vital to maintain pH homeostasis at around 7.4, ensuring optimal enzyme function and physiological processes. Buffers, respiratory adjustments, and renal mechanisms work together to prevent acidosis and alkalosis by precisely balancing acid and base levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regulating the H+ concentration in the blood and brain extracellular fluid is crucial because it maintains the acid-base balance at a pH of approximately 7.4, which is vital for the overall homeostasis of the body. Buffers, respiratory, and renal systems are key players in ensuring this balance. Buffers can neutralize small amounts of acids or bases in body fluids, thus preventing drastic pH changes that can impair enzyme function and protein structure. The respiratory system can rapidly adjust the pH by altering the breathing rate, which changes the levels of CO2 and consequently the amount of H+ in the blood. The kidneys regulate blood pH through reabsorption and secretion processes that adjust bicarbonate and hydrogen ion levels, maintaining proper mineral ion homeostasis and stabilizing physiological pH.
Disturbances in this regulation can lead to conditions known as acidosis or alkalosis, both of which can have serious health consequences. To prevent such issues, the blood employs buffering systems, primarily the carbonic acid/hydrogen carbonate buffer, to maintain pH within the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. This precise regulation is imperative for the optimal function of enzymes and other proteins, which are highly sensitive to changes in pH levels due to alterations in hydrogen bonding and hence protein structure.