NAME: MUHAMMAD ARIF HELMI BIN MOHD AZAM

TOPIC: REGULATION OF PH BALANCE BY KIDNEY

ID NO:10-1-182

INTRODUCTION

A hydrogen ion is a single free proton released from a hydrogen atom. Molecules containing
hydrogen atoms that can release hydrogen ions in solutions are referred to as acids. An example is
hydrochloric acid (HCl), which ionizes in water to form hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl–).
Likewise, carbonic acid (H2CO3) ionizes in water to form H+ and bicarbonate ions (HCO3–).A base is
an ion or a molecule that can accept an H+. For example, HCO3– is a base because it can combine
with H+ to form H2CO3. Likewise, HPO4= is a base because it can accept an H+ to form H2PO4–. The
proteins in the body also function as bases, because some of the amino acids that make up proteins
have net negative charges that readily accept H+. The protein hemoglobin in the red blood cells and
proteins in the other cells of the body are among the most important of the body’s bases.Some of
this acid and bases are readily exist in the body to perform certain function such as hydrochloric acid
(HCL) in the stomach and hydrogen bicarbonate (HCO3-).

This acid and bases in the body must be regulate at a balance proportion so that the ph of the
body will be kept at a level that is suitable and compatible for most of the reaction in the body to
perform its function effectively especially the reaction that require enzyme.This is because enzyme
needed a suitable pH to perform its function effectively.This acid-base or pH balance is regulated by
the acid-base homeostasis mechanism.Acid-base homeostasis is the part of human homeostasis
concerning the proper balance between acids and bases, in other words, the pH. The body is very
sensitive to its pH level, so strong mechanisms exist to maintain it. Outside the acceptable range of
pH, proteins are denatured and digested, enzymes lose their ability to function, and death may
occur.So, the mechanism that is responsible to maintain and regulate this acid and bases or pH
balance in the body is by acid-bases or pH regulation.

AIM

1)To regulate acid-base balance or pH balance in the body

2)To maintain a suitable pH for the protein in the body to perform its function effectively.
CONTROL MECHANISM OF RENAL ACID-BASE OR PH BALANCE

The body's acid-base balance is tightly regulated.It is regulated by three way that is through the
buffer system,through the lung by the respiratory regulation of pH and through the renal or kidney
by renal regulation of pH and the renal regulation is the slowest to react to any imbalance but it is
the most effective in controlling pH balance as it can excrete excess non-volatile acid and bases from
the body.The system that is responsible for this renal regulation of pH is the excretory system.

EXCRETORY SYSTEM

Although the kidneys are slower to compensate, but renal physiology has several powerful
mechanisms to control pH by the excretion of excess acid or base.The kidneys contribute to acid-
base homeostasis by regulating bicarbonate(HCO3-) concentration. The kidneys have two important
roles in the maintaining of the acid-base balance: to reabsorb bicarbonate from and to excrete
hydrogen ions into urine. The kidneys control acid-base balance by excreting either an acidic or a
basic urine. Excreting an acidic urine reduces the amount of acid in extracellular fluid, whereas
excreting a basic urine removes base from the extracellular fluid.So, by this way, the pH balance of
the can be maintain within suitable condition.

The overall mechanism by which the kidneys excrete acidic or basic urine is as follows: Large
numbers of HCO3– are filtered continuously into the tubules, and if they are excreted into the urine,
this removes base from the blood. Large numbers of H+ are also secreted into the tubular lumen by
the tubular epithelial cells, thus removing acid from the blood. If more H+ is secreted than HCO3– is
filtered, there will be a net loss of acid from the extracellular fluid. Conversely, if more HCO3– is
filtered than H+ is secreted, there will be a net loss of base.

ALKALOSIS

Alkalosis is an excessively alkaline condition of the body fluid or tissue,which may cause
weakness or cramp. This happens when there is a reduction in the extracellular fluid H+
concentration.In this condition, the kidneys fail to reabsorb all the filtered bicarbonate, thereby
increasing the excretion of bicarbonate. Because HCO3– normally buffers hydrogen in the
extracellular fluid, this loss of bicarbonate is the same as adding an H+ to the extracellular fluid.
Therefore, in alkalosis, the removal of HCO3– raises the extracellular fluid H+ concentration back
toward normal.
ACIDOSIS

Acidosis is an excessively acid condition of the body fluids or tissues.This increase in acid will
cause imbalance of acid in the body that may cause negative effect to the body.So,to correct this
problem the kidneys will not excrete bicarbonate into the urine but reabsorb all the filtered
bicarbonate and produce new bicarbonate, which is added back to the extracellular fluid.The kidney
will also add an equal amount of H+ into urine. This reduces the extracellular fluid H+ concentration
back toward normal.

REFERENCE

1)http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/HumanBody/Urinary/Urinary_System_Functions.php

2) http://www.alkalinewatersystem.com/why-is-ph-important-to-homeostasis.html

3) http://www.tutornext.com/function-kidneys-regulatory-mechanism/9043

4) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T0R-3WB7RJ1-
1&_user=10&_coverDate=02/29/1996&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d
&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=5061d6
06ae57ba4fb6b8b81d640cf6f6&searchtype=a

5) Textbook Of Medical Physiology,11th Edition,Guyton And Hall

6) Medical Physiology