Final answer:
The skin's acid mantle is indeed acidic with a pH typically ranging from 4.5 to 6.2, not 7.5 to 8.5 as the false statement suggests. The pH scale spans from 0 to 14, with below 7 being acidic and above 7 being alkaline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the skin's acid mantle has a pH ranging from 7.5 to 8.5 is false. The skin's acid mantle is actually acidic, which means it has a pH lower than 7.0. To clarify, the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where any pH level below 7 is considered acidic, and any pH level above 7 is considered alkaline. Water, which is neutral, has a pH of exactly 7.0. The blood in the human body has a slightly alkaline pH, often identified as 7.4. This slight alkalinity helps to reduce the acidity from carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, with the help of buffers such as the bicarbonate system. These buffers play a crucial role in maintaining the pH within a narrow and healthy range. An imbalanced pH level in the blood can lead to life-threatening conditions. The skin's acid mantle typically has a pH of around 4.5 to 6.2, which helps to protect the body from bacteria and environmental stressors.