how would you account for the buffering action of blood serum

Buffering action of blood serum
Buffer means; a solution which consists of such substance (s) that can minimize pH
changes if acid or base is added in it. Buffer solutions are not only prepared in lab, but can be
found in nature as well. For instance; blood serum is a classical model of buffer.
The buffering action of blood serum can be understood via the example of human body
which contains one out of the most complex and effective buffer systems. There could be
observed three main buffer systems in humans: bicarbonate buffer system, protein buffer system,
and phosphate buffer system (Obin, 1956).
1. Bicarbonate buffer system
Bicarbonate buffer system (H2CO3/HCO3
-
) can be termed most important in context of
maintenance of pH of extracellular fluids, because it continuously removes CO2 and H
+
from
blood (and other tissues). This system contains more bicarbonate (HCO3
-
) in comparison to
carbonic acid (H2CO3) so that, acidity of blood could be compensated. In fact, because of normal
metabolism, more acid (than base) is generated in our body that could be neutralized via it
(Ellison et al., 1958).
Mechanism of Reaction
The reaction mechanism of Bicarbonate buffer system can be defined as follows:
(i) When excess...