Deviations of pH can be very deadly when not corrected immediately in the body. With the many activities and changes the body undergo, it is practically impossible for the body’s pH to remain on a constant scale.

Yes! The body’s pH does not remain constant. Metabolic activities, physiological and biochemical activities continually result in the production of either excess acids or alkalis, enough to cause serious disruption in normal functioning.

Certain organs function purposely to regulate the pH of the body fluids and maintain a homeostatic environment. But these perform their activities gradually over a longer period of time.

However, in emergent situations where the deviations in pH is severely high and strongly significant to cause damages, certain chemicals work to temporarily neutralise fluctuations and alterations in pH until more efficient means of adaptations and mechanisms are put in place- usually the organs and other biological means. These chemicals that act to regulate pH in emergency situations are known as Buffers.

Buffers work to stabilise the pH of the body fluid and correct deviations to restore a homeostatic environment, normal functioning and prevent potential complications.

Examples of chemical buffers include;

• Proteins
• Phosphates
• Bicarbonates

Chemical buffers work chemically to neutralise acids and alkalis through numerous chemical reactions, most especially in bicarbonates producing Hydrogen and/or Hydroxide to compensate the lesser faction (hydrogen to compensate high alkaline levels and hydroxide to compensate high acid levels or both to neutralise each other).

Body proteins absorb excess hydrogen ions (H+) whereas phosphates play an important role in controlling pH inside cells.

Body organs that regulate pH in the body and how they work are also listed below;

Lungs

The lungs are important regulators of blood pH because they excrete carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 increases [H+] in body fluids because it combines with water to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into a bicarbonate ion and a hydrogen ion.
The lungs, therefore, help to control blood pH by regulating levels of excreted CO2. The brain detects rising [H+] in the blood and stimulates breathing, causing increased CO2 loss and a fall in [H+]. Conversely, if blood pH becomes too alkaline, the brain can reduce the respiration rate to increase CO2 levels and increase [H+], restoring pH towards normal (Ross and Wilson; Anatomy and Physiology in health and illness, 11th Ed., 2014).

The Kidneys

The kidneys regulate blood pH by increasing or decreasing the excretion of hydrogen and bicarbonate ions as required. If pH falls, hydrogen ion excretion is increased and bicarbonate conserved; the reverse happens if pH rises. In addition, the kidneys generate bicarbonate ions as a by- product of amino acid breakdown in the renal tubules; this process also generates ammonium ions, which are rapidly excreted (Ross and Wilson; Anatomy and Physiology in health and illness, 11th Ed., 2014.)

References

Waugh, A., & Grant, A. (2014). Ross and Wilson: Anatomy and physiology in health and illness. (11th edition). International edition. Elsevier-Churchill Livingstone.