Acid-Base Balance (None)

Acid-base balance refers to the precise regulation of acidity and alkalinity in the blood and other body fluids, ensuring that physiological processes function optimally. This state is also known as acid-base equilibrium. The body must maintain a narrow pH range (typically 7.35–7.45 in arterial blood) because even minor deviations can significantly disrupt cellular activities and organ function. The body uses three primary systems to regulate acid-base balance: buffer systems (bicarbonate/carbonic acid, proteins, phosphates, bone), the lungs (regulating CO2 exhalation), and the kidneys (excreting or reabsorbing acids/bases). Key molecular players include bicarbonate transporters (SLC4 family) and carbonic anhydrases. Disorders arise when these regulatory mechanisms fail, leading to metabolic or respiratory acidosis and alkalosis.

N/A