ABSTRACT
Maintaining the concentration of hydrogen ions within narrow limits is of crucial importance to cellular function and health and presents a major challenge to the human body. Metabolism itself generates acid and large amounts must be excreted each day to maintain equilibrium. Both the lungs and the kidneys play important roles in regulating hydrogen ion concentration. Overproduction or underexcretion of acid or base lead to the clinical disorders of acidosis and alkalosis. These are classified as being of metabolic or respiratory origin and can be diagnosed by the measurement of a few simple parameters on a modern blood gas analyzer.
