Blood buffers, the lungs, and the kidneys all work together to
control the pH of the blood. Both acidosis (low blood pH) and
alkalosis (high blood pH) can have serious, life-threatening
consequences. Fill in the blank about acid-base
balance. The final line of defense in a significant,
long-term acid-base imbalance is _____________.
a. respiratory compensation
b. renal compensation
c. the bicarbonate-carbonic acid system in the blood
d. the use of protein buffers in the blood