What is the best explanation for why changes in blood pH reflect the adequacy of acid-base homeostatic mechanisms?
A. Body fluid pH is a measure of the blood hydrogen ion concentration, and the ac-id-base homeostatic mechanisms control this concentration.
B. Body fluid pH is a measure of the blood bicarbonate concentration, and the ac-id-base homeostatic mechanisms control this concentration.
C. When homeostatic mechanisms are functioning properly, the blood electrolyte concentrations are normal, as measured by pH.
D. When body fluid pH is normal, acid-base homeostatic mechanisms are not needed.
A
The concentration of hydrogen ions is measured as pH units, which correspond to the negative logarithm of the number of milliequivalents of hydrogen ions per liter of fluid. Thus, pH and hy-drogen ion concentration are inversely related. Hydrogen ions are produced continually and, if acid-base compensatory mechanisms were not functional, the blood pH would be abnormal. A normal pH indicates that acid-base homeostatic mechanisms are functioning well enough to maintain the proper balance between hydrogen ion (acid) production and hydrogen ion elimina-tion.
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