pH tells us how acidic or basic a solution is.
This measurement is really important for how our cells work.
Most cells do their best when the pH is within a small range.
For example, human body cells like a pH level around 7.4.
When the pH level is too high or too low, it can mess up how cells operate.
Enzyme Function:
Enzymes are special proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies.
They are very sensitive to changes in pH.
Each enzyme works best at a certain pH.
For instance, pepsin is an enzyme in the stomach that works best at a pH of 1.5 to 2.
If the pH goes up (becomes more basic), pepsin won’t work properly.
This makes it harder for our body to digest proteins.
Ionization of Molecules:
Different molecules can change based on pH levels.
When the pH drops (becomes more acidic), the amount of hydrogen ions goes up.
This can affect how well molecules like glucose can get into our cells.
Cell Membrane Integrity:
An imbalance in pH can harm the cell membrane.
This can make it difficult for nutrients to enter and waste to leave the cell.
If this happens, cells can struggle to stay healthy and function well.
In short, keeping pH balanced is really important for how our cells work and for the health of our whole body!
pH tells us how acidic or basic a solution is.
This measurement is really important for how our cells work.
Most cells do their best when the pH is within a small range.
For example, human body cells like a pH level around 7.4.
When the pH level is too high or too low, it can mess up how cells operate.
Enzyme Function:
Enzymes are special proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies.
They are very sensitive to changes in pH.
Each enzyme works best at a certain pH.
For instance, pepsin is an enzyme in the stomach that works best at a pH of 1.5 to 2.
If the pH goes up (becomes more basic), pepsin won’t work properly.
This makes it harder for our body to digest proteins.
Ionization of Molecules:
Different molecules can change based on pH levels.
When the pH drops (becomes more acidic), the amount of hydrogen ions goes up.
This can affect how well molecules like glucose can get into our cells.
Cell Membrane Integrity:
An imbalance in pH can harm the cell membrane.
This can make it difficult for nutrients to enter and waste to leave the cell.
If this happens, cells can struggle to stay healthy and function well.
In short, keeping pH balanced is really important for how our cells work and for the health of our whole body!