Maintenance of pH is important for:
Enzyme Function
- Becomes impaired outside narrow pH range
- With extremes of pH enzymes may become denatured
Ionic Gradients
- Affects the ionisation (charge) of molecules
- May alter their ability to cross cell membranes
Ion Channel Function
- Affects the permeability of membrane ion channels
- Causes derangement of the resting membrane and action potentials.