Acid-Base Reactions Affecting The Human Body

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The anatomy of a human exists as an extremely complex and complicated phenomena. Although human anatomy primarily falls under biology, it also incorporates various characteristics from other sciences including chemistry. Among these characteristics, lies the relationship that exists between acids and bases for the functionality of the body. Therefore one can conclude that, acid-base reactions affect the human body through its role in the digestive, urinary, and respiratory system while also exemplifying fundamental principles of chemistry. The digestive system utilizes acids to break down carbohydrates and proteins as they enter the mouth. Another mechanism involved in the digestive process is the stomach, which secrets hydrochloric acid. …show more content…
John, 2015). As mentioned before, the lungs of the respiratory system collaborate with the kidneys to control pH of the body, more so the blood. Unusually low blood pH causes rapid breathing, which effects the amount of CO2 in the body. This gas majorly impacts the determination of blood pH, therefore breathing into a paper bag if hyperventilation occurs allows for the rebreathing of carbon dioxide to keep the pH level of blood at homeostatic equilibrium (Herr & Cunningham, n.d). If the amount of carbon dioxide were to become too high or too low, then the body has the possibility to undergo respiratory acidosis or respiratory alkalosis. The condition of respiratory acidosis means that the lungs cannot remove all the carbon dioxide the body produces (Hadjiliadis, 2014) resulting in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide to create an imbalance in the carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ratio. The opposing condition, respiratory alkalosis means that there exist low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood due to excessive breathing (Dugdale, 2012). The conditions encompass symptoms that directly impact the brain. Consequently, calming oneself during a stressful situation and breathing at a normal rate to keep the amounts of carbon dioxide in the body at a homeostatic equilibrium, are vital for one’s health and

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