Which portion of the kidneys plays a role in acid-base balance?
1 Answer
Acid base homeostasis is a part of biologic homeostasis which is concerned with the proper balance between acids and bases in the extra cellular fluids.
Explanation:
Abnormally low or high plasma bicarbonate ion concentration can be corrected by the excretion of hydrogen ions or bicarbonate ions in the urine, in instances where the plasma pH is abnormal.
The sensor for the plasma bicarbonate ion concentration is not known for certain. It is very probable that the renal tubular cells of the distal convoluted tubules are themselves sensitive to the pH of the plasma.
When the extra cellular fluids tend towards acidity, the renal tubular cells secrete the hydrogen ions into the tubular fluid from where they exit the body via the urine. The converse happens when he plasma pH rises above the normal.
