Chapter 17, Problem 1E

What is the pH range of human blood? How is human blood maintained in this pH range?

Interpretation Introduction

To determine: pH range of human blood and how its maintained in this pH range.

Answer to Problem 1E

Solution: The pH range of human blood is $\text{7}\text{.3-7}\text{.4}$ .The buffers present in the human body helps to maintain the pH range of the human blood.

Explanation of Solution

Large amounts of carbonic acid, a weak acid, bicarbonate ion and a base are present in human blood which together helps to maintain pH level between $\text{7}\text{.3-7}\text{.4}$ person has chances of falling sick or dying if the pH level of the blood lowers $6.8$ or rises above $7.8$ . Excess acids present in the blood are neutralized by the action of bicarbonate ion present and on the other hand excess bases get neutralized by the carbonic acid present. Thus all these factors help to maintain the pH level of the human blood.

Conclusion

Human blood is an excellent example of buffer solution.