How does the buffer system in the blood work to maintain a pH during exercise?
The general function of a buffer system is to prevent rapid & wide swings of pH. When the body’s buffer system is overstressed, then the pH will get too far from the typical normal pH of 7.4 The body has 2 ways to buffer swings in pH – respiratory, which reacts rapidly, and metabolic, which is slower to respond but is ‘permanent’. The respiratory system can change pH rapidly through hyper/hypo ventilation but if the metabolic system can not maintain the change, things start to fall apart. If the body pH drops below 6.8 or so, death is not far behind. Too high is less likely but can also cause death. Note: 7.0 is neutral pH. Normal human pH is slightly alkaline. What ions? – the body’s pH is maintained by the equilibrium of acidic & basic molecules, mostly HCO3 & CO2 and also Phosphorus related buffers. Hydrogen ions get exchanged back & forth. Too many H+ ions tends to lower the pH (more acidic), too few raised the pH – more alkaline. Lactic acid build up – as the name implies – lowers
