How does pH affect the human body and why is it important to keep it balanced?
Answer (1)
The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic or alkaline. The human body usually keeps its pH around 7.35–7.45, which is slightly alkaline. This is called physiological neutral, and it is very important for survival.Why is pH balance important? Many chemical reactions in the body only work at the right pH. If the blood becomes too acidic or too basic, cells can stop working, enzymes can break down, and organs may fail. For example, if the blood becomes too acidic (a condition called acidosis), it can affect breathing, heartbeat, and brain function. If it becomes too basic (alkalosis), muscles can twitch or cramp, and the nervous system may become unstable.The body has several ways to control pH, such as using buffers in the blood, breathing faster or slower, and releasing acids or bases through the kidneys. One example is when we exercise and make lactic acid in the muscles. The body works quickly to remove the extra acid and bring the pH back to normal.In physiology, understanding pH helps us learn how the body maintains balance, or homeostasis. It also helps doctors know when something is wrong in the body—many illnesses affect the body’s pH, and many medicines are designed to help correct these imbalances.
