Blood is the blood fluid with specific function give examples of the functions of blood and explain how the animals body defend itself by against change in H+ ion concentration
Blood has several important functions in the body, including:
1. Transportation: Blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and takes carbon dioxide back to the lungs for removal. It also transports nutrients, hormones, and waste products between various organs and tissues.
2. Defense: Blood contains white blood cells, also known as leukocytes, which defend the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These cells help fight off infections and play a crucial role in the immune response.
3. Regulation: Blood helps to regulate body temperature by distributing heat throughout the body and aiding in heat loss through the skin. It also maintains electrolyte balance and regulates pH levels to ensure optimal functioning of enzymes and other cellular processes.
Regarding the defense against changes in H+ ion concentration (pH), the body has various mechanisms:
1. Buffer systems: The blood contains chemical buffer systems that help maintain a stable pH by absorbing excess H+ ions or releasing H+ ions as needed. For example, the bicarbonate buffer system in blood acts as a pH regulator and can either release or absorb H+ ions to maintain a neutral pH.
2. Respiratory compensation: The respiratory system plays a vital role in regulating pH levels. When the blood becomes too acidic (lower pH), the respiratory system increases the rate and depth of breathing, allowing carbon dioxide to be eliminated more rapidly. Carbon dioxide reacts with water in the blood to form carbonic acid, which can help decrease the excess H+ ion concentration and restore a more normal pH level.
3. Renal compensation: The kidneys are involved in long-term pH regulation by selectively excreting or reabsorbing bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. When the blood becomes too acidic, the kidneys eliminate excess H+ ions in urine and reabsorb and regenerate bicarbonate ions, which helps to restore a more normal pH.
These mechanisms work together to maintain a stable pH level in the blood, which is crucial for the proper functioning of cells and overall homeostasis in the body.