Acid-base regulation plays a major role in all physiological processes. These include the delivery of oxygen to the cell, the cellular use of oxygen with the subsequent production of ATP and wastes, and the hormonal regulation of metabolism. The body regulates the buffering and excretion of these wastes to maintain plasma pH within well defined narrow limits. This means that an increase in hydrogen ions is indicated by a drop in pH and a decrease in hydrogen ions is demonstrated by a rise in pH. It reflects the balance between acids and bases, rather than being a measure of the total amount of acids and bases. An acid is a substance which can donate a hydrogen ion or freely dissociate a hydrogen ion.
Bases are able to bond with hydrogen.
Buffers are chemicals which can combine with an acid or base to minimise changes in pH. Acid-base balance is measured using the pH scale illustrated in figure 1. The pH is maintained within very narrow parameters, therefore the pH scale has two very important points of reference, the normal limits of acid and alkali. A pH below 7.35 is described as acidosis and a pH above 7.45 is described as alkalosis . The production and properties of acids and bases Acids, the end products of metabolism, are continually being produced by the body. These acids must be buffered and excreted in order to maintain normal pH and preserve homeostasis.