A component of an important buffer in the human body is
A) NaCl.
B) H⁺.
C) HCl.
D) HCO₃⁻.
E) H₂O.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

HCO₃⁻ (bicarbonate ion) is an important buffering system in the human body, helping to maintain a stable pH in the blood. It reacts with hydrogen ions (H⁺) to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which can then dissociate into water and carbon dioxide, which can be exhaled from the body. NaCl (sodium chloride) is a common salt in the body, but it is not a component of this buffering system. H⁺ and HCl (hydrochloric acid) is too acidic to be a part of this buffering system. H₂O (water) is important for many physiological processes, but it is not a component of this buffering system.

A Component of an Important Buffer in the Human Body