Final answer:
The normal pH range of human blood is 7.35 to 7.45, averaging at about 7.4. It is maintained by buffers and is critical for bodily functions, with significant deviations causing acidosis or alkalosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average normal pH range of blood is between 7.35 and 7.45, with an average being approximately 7.4. This slightly basic (alkaline) pH level is crucial for the proper functioning of the body's systems and is maintained through a variety of buffers, particularly the bicarbonate buffering system. The intracellular pH of tissues typically ranges from 7.25 to 7.35, whereas extracellular fluid has a pH of around 7.30 to 7.40. If blood pH deviates significantly from this normal range, medical conditions such as acidosis (lower pH) or alkalosis (higher pH) can occur. Alkalosis can be more fatal than acidosis. Enzymes, which are essential for the body's metabolic processes, require a specific pH range to function optimally, as pH changes can distort the necessary hydrogen bonding in proteins.