What is pH and how does it affect the function of the human body?
Answer (1)
Potential of Hydrogen (pH) is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. It ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, meaning the substance is neither acidic nor basic. Values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic (also called alkaline).In the human body, pH is extremely important because many body processes depend on the right pH levels. For example:Blood normally has a pH of 7.35–7.45, which is slightly basic. This is called physiological neutral. If blood pH goes below or above this range, it can lead to serious health problems or even death.The stomach has a very low pH, around 1.5–3.5, which helps break down food and kill bacteria.The intestines, however, are more basic because enzymes that digest food work best in a higher pH.The body uses special systems called buffers to keep pH levels stable. For example, when you exercise, your muscles release lactic acid, which lowers pH. Your body responds by neutralizing this acid using buffer systems, so your cells can continue working.Understanding pH is important in physiology because it explains why enzymes work only at certain pH levels, why breathing too fast or slow affects blood pH, and why drinking too many acidic or basic substances can cause harm.In biology, pH helps explain life at the molecular level. Without the proper pH, proteins may unfold, cells may stop working, and the entire body can go out of balance.
