Question

Homeostasis is defined as the internal, chemical and physiological balance state of the living being. Under normal circumstances, the fluids within the cells and fluids in the human body are kept within a stable range of pH because they are stabilized by a buffer. Define what is a buffer and explain why such a mechanism is needed.

Answer 1

Any aqueous solution which contains a week acid & conjugate base and that have the ability to neutralize the change in the pH on addition of little amount of base or acid, is known as buffer. Thus, a buffer maintains the pH of the solution to relative stability.

The term 'Homeostasis' refers to the ability of the body to maintain stability of various internal factors such as temperature, water level, acidity etc. Organisms surviving in various range of external environments need to maintain stable internal variables for better functioning of the body. Thus, it is necessary to maintain homeostasis.

In a humans, blood acts as a buffer, which contains bicarbonate anion and carbonic acid that maintains the pH in the range - 7.35 - 7.45. The blood regulates the body pH and temperature, in fact maintains homeostasis.