Answer:
Buffer solutions are essential in regulating blood acidity because they help maintain a stable pH level in the body. The pH of blood needs to be tightly controlled within a narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45 for optimal physiological functioning. Buffers work by absorbing excess hydrogen ions (H+) or hydroxide ions (OH-) that may be introduced into the bloodstream from various metabolic reactions. For example, if the blood becomes too acidic due to an increase in H+ ions, buffer systems such as the bicarbonate-carbonic acid system can neutralize the excess H+ ions and restore the pH balance. Conversely, if the blood becomes too alkaline due to an increase in OH- ions, buffer systems can absorb the excess OH- ions and bring the pH back to normal. In this way, buffer solutions help maintain the delicate acid-base balance crucial to the proper functioning of our bodies.