Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

What mechanism helps regulate the blood's acid-base balance?

1. Intracellular fluid balance

2. Utilization of carbohydrates

3. Buffer systems

4. Hormonal control

The correct answer is: Buffer systems

The regulation of the blood's acid-base balance is primarily managed through buffer systems. These systems consist of weak acids and their conjugate bases that can quickly neutralize excess acids or bases, thus maintaining a stable pH in the blood. For instance, the bicarbonate buffer system, which involves bicarbonate ions and carbonic acid, plays a significant role in buffering changes in pH due to metabolic processes or respiratory functions. This mechanism is crucial because even slight deviations from the normal blood pH range (approximately 7.35 to 7.45) can significantly affect physiological processes and enzyme activities in the body. Buffer systems respond almost instantaneously to pH changes, providing a rapid response to maintain acid-base homeostasis. While intracellular fluid balance, utilization of carbohydrates, and hormonal control are important physiological processes, they do not directly manage the acid-base balance of the blood in the same immediate and effective way that buffer systems do.