ACID – BASE BALANCE IN OUR BODY Acids (carbonic acid from carbon dioxide and lactic acid from anaerobic metabolism) are constantly being produced during metabolism. Since, most of the metabolic reactions occur only within a very narrow pH range (7.38 – 7.42), the body utililizes several efficient buffer systems. Body fluids have balanced quantities of acids and bases which are well regulated by complicated mechanisms. This balancing of acids and bases within the body is very much essential because the biochemical reactions taking place in the living systems are very sensitive to even small changes in acidity or alkalinity. For example, → Low pH value in the stomach provides an environment where enzyme pepsin functions well which is involved in the digestion of dietary proteins. → Saliva is having a pH range of 5.4 – 7.4 which provides the environment best suited for the functioning of ptyalin, an enzyme present in saliva which digests the carbohydrates. In this way, the pH of the various body fluids are naturally maintained within the required ranges, some of which are mentioned below; Body Fluids Gastric Juice Saliva Blood Urine Bile Semen

pH Ranges 1.5 – 3.5 5.4 – 7.5 7.4 – 7.5 4.5 – 8.0 6.0 – 8.5 7.2 – 7.6

The pH of the body fluids are always maintained due to presence of various buffer systems in our body. Two of the major buffer systems in the body are bicarbonate/carbonic acid (HCO3/H2CO3) found in the plasma and kidneys and monohydrogen phosphate / dihydrogen phosphate (HPO4-2/H2PO4-) found in the cells and kidneys. Also, the haemoglobin(Hb) buffer system present in the red blood cells is the most effective single system for buffering the carbonic acid produced during metabolic processes. The main function of the buffer system is to prevent drastic changes in the pH values in the blood. However, it can be effective only when there exists some mechanisms by which excess acid or alkali can be excreted out of the body. This function is mainly carried out by the lungs and the kidneys. When respiration gets decreased, the accumulated carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid which then dissociates to release hydrogen ions and results in acidosis. CO2 + H2O → H2CO3 → H+ + HCO3 1

Similarly, if there is over breathing, excessive excretion of carbon dioxide takes place which leads to alkalosis. The electrolytes control the fluid imbalances in our body and apart from that, they also play a vital role in regulating the body’s acid-base balance. This balance is mainly maintained by controlling the H+ concentration in the extra-cellular fluid (normal pH range – 7.35 to 7.45) of the body. Various Buffer Systems of Body : ( I ) Carbonic acid – Bicarbonate Buffer system It is an important buffer system (occurs in plasma and kidneys) for regulating blood pH. If there is excess of H+ ion in the blood, the bicarbonate ion accepts the H+ ion to form carbonic acid and this carbonic acid further dissociates to yield carbon dioxide and water molecule. H+ + HCO3 - → H2CO3 → Strong acid

Weak base

H2O + CO2

Carbonic acid (weak acid)

When, there is shortage of H+ ion, the carbonic acid (another component of buffer system) ionises to release more H+ ions to maintain the pH. →

H2CO3 Carbonic acid (weak acid)

H+

+

HCO3 -

Strong acid

Weak base

Our normal metabolism process gives rise to more acids than bases. But the blood made more acidic. Therfore, the body needs more bicarbonate salt than it needs carbonic acid. (II) Phosphate Buffer System The phosphate concentration is more in the intra-cellular fluid and so, phosphate buffer system is considered to be an important regulator of pH in the cytosol. This buffer system is mainly present in the cells and kidneys. As we know, this buffer system consists of monohydrogen phosphate (HPO4-2) / dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4-) anions, acts in a similar manner as that of carbonic acid – bicarbonate buffer system. If there is occurance of an excess of H+ ion in the presence of strong acid, the monohydrogen phosphate ion acts as a weak base by accepting the proton. HCl

+

Strong acid

Na2HPO4 → NaCl + NaH2PO4 Weak base

Salt

Weak acid

When there is presence of a strong base, the dihydrogen phosphate ion acts as a weak acid and is able to neutralise the alkaline condition. NaOH + NaH2PO4 Strong base

Weak acid

→ H2O + Na2HPO4 Weak Base

2

(III) Protein (Haemoglobin) Buffer System It is the most abundant buffer system in the cells and plasma. Proteins are composed of amino acids which do have atleast one carboxyl group (COOH) and one amino group (NH2). When there is occurance of excess H+ ions, the amino group acts as a base and accepts the proton. R R │ ̈ │ HOOC ─ C ─ NH2 + H+ │ H

→ HOOC ─ C

─ NH3+

│ H

While the free carboxyl group can release protons so as to neutralise an alkaline condition. R │

R │

H2N ─ C ─ COOH │ H



H2N ─ C ─ COO- + H+ │ H

Thus, protein is able to serve both the functions of acid and base components of a buffer system because of its amphoteric nature. At physiological pH, histidines and cysteine are considered to be the most important amino acid buffers. As haemoglobin (protein) is composed of 37 histidines in its structure, it acts as an effective physiological buffer. When CO2 enters the erythrocytes from the body cells, it rapidly combines with water to form carbonic acid in the presence of the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase. If there occurs a shortage of H+ ions in erythrocytes, the carbonic acid gets dissociated into H+ and HCO3- ions. The bicarbonate ion in plasma alongwith the plasma carbonic acid now behaves as an efficient buffer system. Breathing also plays an important role in maintaining the pH of the body fluids. CO2 + H2O

↔ H2CO3 ↔ H+

+ HCO3 –

Metabolic Acidosis & Metabolic Alkalosis The pH of normal blood ranges between 7.35 to 7.45. When the pH of blood falls below 7.35, the condition is known as metabolic acidosis, while when the pH of blood is higher than 7.45, it is known as metabolic alkalosis. Both the conditions are considered to be the primary disorders of bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration. The metabolic acidosis takes place due to loss of HCO3- ions which may occur due to severe diarrhoea or renal dysfunction. The condition results in depression of central nervous system.

3

The treatment of metabolic acidosis is made by administration of intravenous injection of NaHCO3. Excessive vomiting of gastric contents causes a substantial loss of hydrochloric acid and it is a cause of metabolic alkalosis. Other causes may include endocrine disorders, excessive intake of alkaline drugs, use of certain diuretics, etc. Its principal effect is the overexcitability of the CNS. Treatment of metabolic alkalosis involves the fluid therapy to replace chloride, potassium and other electrolyte deficiencies.

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