Final answer:
The body maintains blood pH balance through buffer systems like bicarbonate, which adjust hydrogen ion concentration in response to changes in pH. The respiratory system also regulates pH by controlling CO2 levels, which in turn affect carbonic acid concentration in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of picking up and releasing hydrogens in the blood to balance its pH involves buffer systems. These systems act to thwart significant pH changes when excess acids or bases enter the bloodstream. For instance, the bicarbonate buffer system is a primary buffer against pH changes in the human body. When muscles release lactic acid during exercise, bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) react with the acid to form carbonic acid (H₂CO3), which is then converted to CO₂ and exhaled, reducing acidity.
The body uses buffer systems, such as the bicarbonate and phosphate systems, to maintain blood pH by picking up excess hydrogen ions when it's acidic and releasing hydrogen ions when it's alkaline.
Homeostasis of the internal environment, specifically acid-base balance, is essential for proper physiological function, with a stable blood pH around 7.4 being critical. One of the main buffering systems is the bicarbonate buffer system. It reacts with strong acids and bases in the blood, neutralizing them to prevent drastic changes in pH. In this system, bicarbonate ions act as weak bases to take up hydrogen ions, mitigating acidosis, while carbonic acid, a weak acid, can release hydrogen ions to combat alkalosis. The carbonate buffering system works in tandem with respiratory regulation to maintain pH levels. Increased breathing rates release more CO₂, shifting the equilibrium to reduce hydrogen ion concentration in the blood, hence, raising pH. Conversely, decreased breathing rates cause CO₂ to accumulate, increasing the hydrogen ion concentration and lowering pH. This dual mechanism ensures that the blood pH remains within the narrow optimal range, effectively protecting the body against the detrimental effects of excess acid or base.