Which buffer system is most effective in blood?

The carbonate buffer system is the most effective buffer system in blood due to its ability to regulate pH within the physiological range. This system involves the equilibrium between carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3−), which plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base homeostasis. The carbonic acid can dissociate into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, allowing for a rapid response to changes in pH caused by metabolic processes.

When there is an increase in hydrogen ions (acidosis), bicarbonate can neutralize these ions, shifting the equilibrium to the left and minimizing pH changes. Conversely, in the case of decreased hydrogen ions (alkalosis), carbonic acid can release hydrogen ions, shifting the equilibrium to the right and thus helping to restore balance. The carbon dioxide produced from cellular respiration also contributes to this system, as it can be converted to carbonic acid in the blood.

The other buffering systems, like the phosphate and protein buffer systems, do have roles in the body but are not as dominant as the carbonate buffer system in blood. The phosphate buffer system is more significant in the intracellular and renal environments, while proteins play a buffering role primarily within cells and tissues rather than the plasma. The ammonium buffer