Final answer:
Acids and bases directly influence the pH of body fluids, while buffers prevent extreme changes in pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen or hydroxyl ions. The bicarbonate system is a primary buffer that maintains blood pH, supported by respiratory and renal functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The roles of acids, bases, and buffers are crucial in maintaining dynamic homeostasis within the body, particularly by keeping the pH of body fluids within a narrow and optimal range. Acids and bases affect the pH level, whereas buffers, such as bicarbonate ions, proteins, and phosphates, work to stabilize pH by absorbing excess hydrogen (H+) or hydroxyl ions (OH-) that result from metabolic processes. The bicarbonate buffer system, for example, helps maintain pH by converting bicarbonate and hydrogen ions into carbonic acid, or by converting carbonic acid into bicarbonate ions and carbon dioxide, which can then be exhaled by the lungs. This homeostasis is also supported by the respiratory and renal systems, which can remove excess acid or base through exhalation of CO2 and excretion in urine respectively.