Introduction to Biochemistry
pH Balance and Buffer Systems
The body maintains tight pH regulation through chemical buffers, respiratory compensation, and renal excretion.
Primary Buffer Systems
- Bicarbonate-carbonic acid system: Extracellular fluid buffer.
- Phosphate buffer system: Primarily intracellular and renal tubular fluid.
- Protein buffer system: Hemoglobin and intracellular proteins.
Clinical Significance
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis is the gold standard for monitoring.
- Respiratory compensation occurs in minutes to hours.
- Renal compensation is powerful but takes days to fully manifest.
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