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The buffer in blood is made up of carbonic acid (weak acid) and hydrogen carbonate (conjugate base).
When protons is released into the blood, the protons combine with hydrogen carbonate (conjugate base) to form carbonic acid. As a result, the concentration of protons in the blood only increases slightly and the resulting pH change is small.
When hydroxide ions are released into the blood, the alkali that is added reacts with carbonic acid to form salt an dwater. As a result, the hydroxide ions are removed from blood, and the pH of blood only changes slightly.
The explanation that I have given above is actually a oversimplified one. For a more physiological and thorough explanation, please refer to the following website on Blood, Sweat and Buffers. For the purpose of the A Level examinations, my explanation will suffice.
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Friday, June 20, 2008
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