How does the body maintain acid-base balance?

The body maintains acid-base balance primarily through a combination of respiratory and renal mechanisms, which are crucial for regulating the pH of the blood. The lungs play a significant role by controlling the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. When CO2 levels rise, it leads to an increase in carbonic acid, thus lowering pH (making the blood more acidic). The respiratory system can adjust this by increasing the rate of breathing to expel more CO2, which helps to raise the pH back to a normal range.

On the other hand, the kidneys contribute to acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate from urine. By regulating these components, the kidneys can effectively manage the buffering capacity of the blood, ensuring that the pH remains within the narrow range necessary for proper physiological function.

While hormone levels and dietary changes can influence metabolic processes and indirectly impact acid-base status, they are not the primary regulators. Blood pressure is not directly involved in maintaining acid-base balance, highlighting the specialized and integrated roles of the respiratory and renal systems in this crucial homeostatic process.