What is the role of carbonic acid in the body's chemical buffer system?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the function of carbonic acid in the chemical buffer system of the body, particularly how it interacts with hydrogen ions (H+) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to help regulate pH levels in the blood and maintain homeostasis.
Answer
Carbonic acid maintains blood pH balance by neutralizing acids and bases.
The role of carbonic acid in the body's chemical buffer system is to maintain blood pH balance by neutralizing acids and bases. It reacts with hydronium ions to keep blood from becoming too acidic and with hydroxide ions to form bicarbonate ions and water when the blood is too basic.
Answer for screen readers
The role of carbonic acid in the body's chemical buffer system is to maintain blood pH balance by neutralizing acids and bases. It reacts with hydronium ions to keep blood from becoming too acidic and with hydroxide ions to form bicarbonate ions and water when the blood is too basic.
More Information
Carbonic acid is part of the bicarbonate buffer system, which is the most significant buffering system in human blood. It helps in maintaining the blood pH around a narrow range necessary for physiological functions.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking carbonic acid itself is stable; in reality, it quickly converts to carbon dioxide and water, especially in respiratory exchanges.
Sources
- Chemistry of buffers and buffers in blood - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- Acid-Base Balance – Anatomy & Physiology - open.oregonstate.education
- Bicarbonate Buffer System Overview - Study.com - study.com
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