The pH of a substance (also known as the power of hydrogen) refers to the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. pH is represented on a pH scale from 0 to 14, where 7 is the neutral, anything above 7 is basic, and anything below seven is acidic. pH can be calculated by pH=-log [ H3O+], where [ H3O+] is the concentration of hydronium ions.
Buffers are substances that prevent major changes in ph of body fluids by removing or releasing hydrogen ions. The body's major buffer system consists of bicarbonates (HCO3-) and carbonic acids (H2CO3). Since they are normal molecules, they leave the system as any other normal substance. When the blood within a person remains too acidic or too basic, these molecules are held back to balance out the blood to a pH of at least 7.35, or 7.45 at most.
It affects many different components of the blood which could lead to death. For example, if the blood remains too acidic, the bicarbonate levels will try to increase to its appropriate level. If the blood still remains acidic, it will begin to deteriorate its surrounding organs causing an irregular distribution of substances, thus leading to death.
If the effects of the change in pH levels in the blood can be closely observed, many scientific breakthroughs can occur. The breakthroughs can lead to vaccinations, or cures for some of the most common conditions, such as diabetes.
