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.