2006-09-05 06:09:00 · 3 answers · asked by landscaperweeks 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
See Abe's comments above, but I have to add this:
The pH of the urine isn't what the body is seeking to control as a direct issue. The pH of the blood and tissue fluids is being tightly controlled at 7.4. Changes in this bring prompt responses from the renal and respiratory systems that work to rapidly correct the change back to normal. Small to moderate amounts of acid or base in the blood stream don't even alter the actual pH because there are biochemical "buffer systems" which neutralize those changes instantly. The kidneys will then excrete acid or base in the urine restoring the system to normal.
If a healthy person with normal kidneys takes in acidic material, the serum pH will not become acid, but the urine will, and if one takes in alkaline, again the urine will excrete it but the pH of the serum will remain stable.
The body uses rapid changes in urinary pH as part of a system to maintain an exquisitely stable internal pH, despite dietary intake that can be highly variable. This is part of what is termed "homeostasis", the body's mechanisms for maintaining things the same at all times.
2006-09-05 09:55:51 · answer #1 · answered by bellydoc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normal human urine has a pH range of 4.8 to 7.5, but it is usually acid with a pH of 6. Diet has alot to do with it.
Protein promotes an acid urine due to the sulfur containing amino acids being coverted to sulfuric acid
There is an "Alkaline Tide", higher pH soon after eating due to H+ secretion into the gut, which would result in an alkaline blood if not for the kidneys restoring balance by excretion of bicarbonate.
More details in a good Human Biochemistry text.
2006-09-05 07:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The PH of human urine should be around the 6.4 level.
2006-09-05 06:15:40 · answer #3 · answered by h20grl13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋