If calcium levels drop too low, laryngospasm and suffocation may follow. Hypercalcemia can result from alkalosis, hyperparathyroidism, or hypoparathyroidism. Consequently, acid-base balance is one of the most important aspects of homeostasis. A buffer is any mechanism that resists changes in pH by converting a strong acid or base to a weak one. The body has both physiological and chemical buffers.
Chemical buffers can restore normal pH within a fraction of a second.
The bicarbonate buffer system is a solution of carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions. This is a reversible reaction The bicarbonate system does not have a particularly strong buffering capacity. The phosphate buffering system has a stronger buffering effect than an equal amount of bicarbonate buffer. The kidneys can neutralize more acid or base than either the respiratory system or chemical buffers. Acidosis depresses the central nervous system and causes such symptoms as confusion, disorientation, and coma.