Acid-Base Balance

Acids dissociate into H⁺ and lower pH, while bases dissociate into OH^- and raise pH; buffers can absorb these excess ions to maintain pH.

Chemical buffers such as bicarbonate and ammonia help keep blood pH in the narrow range compatible with life.

Acid-base imbalances in blood pH can be altered by changes in breathing to expel more CO₂, which will raise pH back to normal.

The kidneys help maintain acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions into the urine and reabsorbing bicarbonate from the urine.