Blood is a fluid with specific functions. Give examples of the functions of blood in the animal body and explain how the animal body depends itself against changes in H± ion concentration.
Some functions of blood in the animal body include:
1. Transport: Blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and removes carbon dioxide from them. It also transports nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from various organs.
2. Regulation: Blood helps regulate body temperature by absorbing and releasing heat. It also helps maintain the pH balance of the body by carrying buffers that prevent excessive changes in acidity or alkalinity.
3. Protection: Blood contains white blood cells that help defend against harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. It also contains antibodies and other components of the immune system that help fight infections.
The animal body relies on various mechanisms to defend itself against changes in H+ ion concentration and maintain the ideal pH balance. One such mechanism is the presence of buffers in the blood. Buffers are substances that can accept or release hydrogen ions (H+) depending on the surrounding conditions, which helps prevent drastic changes in pH. For example, carbonic acid (H2CO3) acts as a buffer by accepting H+ ions to form bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in acidic conditions and releasing H+ ions to reform carbonic acid in alkaline conditions.
Another crucial mechanism is the role of the respiratory system in regulating pH. When there is an increase in H+ ion concentration (acidosis), the respiratory system increases the rate of breathing, enabling the elimination of excess carbon dioxide (CO2). This process helps shift the equilibrium of the bicarbonate buffer system in the blood, reducing the concentration of H+ ions and restoring the pH balance.
Additionally, the kidneys play a vital function in maintaining pH balance by excreting excess acids or bases through urine. They actively reabsorb bicarbonate ions to prevent their loss and excrete excess H+ ions.
Overall, the animal body has an intricate system involving buffers, the respiratory system, and the kidneys to defend itself against changes in H+ ion concentration and maintain an optimal pH balance necessary for proper physiological functioning.