The human body has the remarkable ability to maintain plasma pH within the narrow normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. It does so by means of chemical buffering mechanism, which is controlled in the kidneys and lungs. The pH is measured through hydrogen ion concentration; the more hydrogen ions, the more acidic the solution.
Within the experiment it was obviously relevant on how the carbon dioxide decreased in the increase of pH. In comparison to the first test, the second test ( the addition of pH 4 solution) had potential carbon dioxide levels measuring more than, double the potential carbon dioxide levels of the normal blood. This is because when the blood became acidic, more carbon dioxide molecules dissolved to create more carbonic acid levels. This distorted the 20:1 ratio and thus made the blood acidic. Normally, in the functioning human circulatory system, more bicarbonate.
Aside from the two main buffer systems, there are many other extra cellular, minor buffers such as inorganic phosphates or plasma proteins. Intracellular buffers could include substances such as proteins, inorganic and organic phosphates and in red blood cells, and within hemoglobin. The kidneys regulate the bicarbonate level in the plasma. In maintain pH in a normal range. When the lungs aren't functioning properly, the carbon dioxide builds up in the body. This excess carbon dioxide then dissolves in water to create excess carbonic acid, thus causing abnormal low pH levels.
The blood samples used in the experiment, of course did not have a kidney to regulate the bicarbonate levels in the case of acidosis or alkalosis. Because of this factor, the effects of a kidney failure on blood could be shown, thus giving a much better understanding of the problem and/ or situation.
When the kidneys or lungs fail, then the pH levels in the blood drop significantly. For example, if a young man has been exercising for three consecutive hours, and may be subject due to over exercising and mental illness, the lungs will begin to function irregularly. When this occurs, breathing becomes affected and the body does not have the ability to release al of the carbon dioxide. Eventually the carbon dioxide will dissolve in water, and cause the blood pH to drop. In addition, the kidney will continue to release hydrogen ions causing the blood to become more acidic. At first the blood will remain balanced due to retained bicarbonate levels, but eventually the bicarbonate levels will become unbalanced. If the body is regular, the person will automatically begin to breathe heavily. To most people, this would mean "catching their breath to work more". In reality, the body is trying its best to release as much carbon dioxide as possible, before any of the carbon dioxide dissolves in water. The reaction is determined by the following:
The solution is usually fixed when a base is added from the body:
When an acid is added to basic blood the following reaction occurs:
Within the human body, they must maintain a ratio of 20 molecules of Bicarbonate to one molecule of Carbonic acid. If the ratio loses its balance, the pH level will change. It is important to recognize that carbonic acid is simply a mixture of Carbon Dioxide and water. Carbon Dioxide levels in the body are increased, so does the carbonic acid. This is when the lungs in the body affect the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. The lungs will immediately release bicarbonate if there is excess carbon dioxide in the body.
With the addition of acids to a blood sample there was an increase in many different aspects. When a highly concentrated acid is added to blood, there was a complete destruction of blood cells resulting in a blood clot. When an acidic solution was added to a blood sample, the sodium, glucose, and bicarbonate levels dropped. This could result in large scale cell death. With an addition of alkaline solution to a blood sample glucose increased marginally, sodium levels dropped, and bicarbonate levels increased.