Q. How do kidneys participate in the regulation of the acid-basic equilibrium of the body? How are alkalosis and acidosis respectively corrected by the kidneys?

Kidneys can regulate the alkalinity or acidity of the plasma varying the excretion of hydrogen and bicarbonate ions.

In alkalosis that abnormally high level of the plasma pH, the kidneys excretes more bicarbonate and the equilibrium of formation of bicarbonate from water and carbon dioxide shifts towards formation of more hydrogen ions and bicarbonate and then the plasma pH is lowered. When the body undergoes acidosis that abnormal low level of the plasma pH, the kidneys excrete more hydrogen ions and retain more bicarbonate thus the equilibrium of formation of bicarbonate from water and carbon dioxide shifts towards more hydrogen consumption and the plasma pH is increased.