assignment. blood is a blood fluid with specific functions. give examples of the functions of blood in the animals body and explain how the animals body defends itself by against changes in H+ ion concentrations.
Some examples of the functions of blood in the animal's body include:
1. Transportation: Blood helps in the transport of various substances such as oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from different body tissues and organs.
2. Regulation: Blood helps in maintaining the body's homeostasis by regulating body temperature, pH balance, and the water-salt balance.
3. Protection: Blood plays a crucial role in the immune response, as it contains white blood cells (leukocytes) that defend the body against pathogens, toxins, and foreign substances. It also transports antibodies, which provide immunity against specific antigens.
Regarding the defense against changes in H+ ion concentrations, the body maintains a delicate pH balance in the blood plasma within a narrow range, typically around 7.35 to 7.45. Any deviation from this range can disrupt normal bodily functions. To defend against changes in H+ ion concentrations, the body employs various mechanisms:
1. Buffer Systems: The blood contains chemical buffer systems, including carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system, phosphate buffer system, and protein buffer system. These systems react with H+ ions to accept or donate them, helping to maintain the pH balance. For instance, the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system helps regulate H+ concentration by converting excess H+ ions into carbon dioxide, which can be exhaled by the lungs.
2. Respiratory Compensation: The respiratory system can adjust the elimination of carbon dioxide (CO2) through breathing. As CO2 combines with water in the blood, it forms carbonic acid, leading to an increase in H+ ions. To counteract this, the respiratory system increases the rate and depth of breathing to exhale more CO2, reducing the H+ ion concentration.
3. Renal Compensation: The kidneys play a vital role in regulating pH by selectively reabsorbing or excreting ions. When the blood is too acidic (high H+ concentration), the kidneys can excrete excess H+ ions and reabsorb more bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) to raise the pH. Conversely, when the blood is too alkaline (low H+ concentration), the kidneys can excrete more bicarbonate ions and retain H+ ions to lower the pH.
By employing these mechanisms, the body can defend itself against changes in H+ ion concentrations, ensuring that the blood pH remains within the optimal range for normal physiological functions.