Why is it important for blood and water to have a pH of 7?

Answer 1

Well actually, blood has a pH of around 7.35 to 7.45, so it's very slightly basic. Pure water's neutrality can be explained by chemical equations and neutralization reactions. Water's quite a funky molecule indeed.

Your blood however, has a pretty consistent pH because your body is always trying to reach homeostasis (constant conditions in your body). The control of blood pH is one example of how your body maintains homeostasis.

If your blood's pH is below 7.35 (more acidic), you'll get acidosis, and if it exceeds 7.45 (more basic), you'll get the opposite which is alkalosis.

It's also important because certain enzymes in your body works only when the blood is at the right pH, if it changes too drastically, the enzyme will change shape and no longer function how it used to.

Answer 2

Because there is only so much carbon dioxide and the body uses buffers (bicarbonate ion and carbonic acid) to keep the ph balanced and other mechanisms too, like breathing rate and kidney function. Breathing eliminates CO2 and the kidneys alter the concentration of bicarbonate ion in the blood. H+ + CO3- <--> H2CO3 is the equation. (Hydrogen ion plus bicarbonate ion yield carbonic acid) The hydrogen ion comes from metabolic processes of the body. Carbonic acid breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. An excess of CO2 would cause the CO2 and water to combine to form carbonic acid. But normally the CO2 is eliminated through breathing. (so this reaction usually occurs only when there is too much CO2) A certain amount of CO2 is necessary for normal function. In fact in a normal healthy person, the breathing rate is determined by how much CO2 is in our system, rather than how much oxygen.

Answer 3

In order for the chemical reactions of using food for energy and building to be the most efficient the reactions must be standardized for temperature and pH. That neutral pH is the one the body strives to maintain.

Answer 4

7 is neutral. Anything above 7 is a base, and below is an acid. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want acidic water or blood.

Answer 5

because if either of these things had a ph of like 3 or 12, then then would literally burn us alive from the inside out?

Answer 6

because a pH of 7 points is neutrul, something less than 7 is acidic, more than 7 is sweet etc.

Answer 7

Too many of our bodies cellular functions are hampered by having our pH knocked out of our tolerance zone. Acidosis comes to mind is a syndrome that comes to mind.

Answer 8

because pH of 7 is neutral.
If it was something else it could be acidic and we could potencially die or get a really bad disease.

Answer 9

because its basically a happy medium.. if your blood was too acidic it would burn your insides and you'd die...
same with basic.. basic burns too..
ever spill something in chem class on your skin or your clothes that had a really low or really high pH? it burns like crazy..

Answer 10

its neutral. i wouldnt want acidic blood or acidic water. and i wouldnt want basic ones either. i ddont kno the scientific reason tho. sorry.