dioxide into hydrogen and bicarbonate ions. This is for transportation
purposes, as carbon dioxide lowers the body’s pH, making it more acidic.
The lungs convert hydrogen and bicarbonic ions back into carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide now can be exhaled without creating excessive acidosis in the
body.
Leukocytes
Leukocytes are white blood cells (WBCs). These are immune cells and are
covered under the Immune System section of this chapter. The four types of
leukocytes are: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes (macrophages),
eosinophils and mast cells.
Erythrocytes (RBCs) and leukocytes (WBCs) are derived from what are
called stem cells. Your blood carries many substances that are vital to the
health of your body via its cells. It also carries metabolic and cellular wastes
and by-products.
Your body is always seeking to maintain an alkaline/acid balance.
Alkalinity dominates all fluids and tissues, except in the stomach. Your blood
plays a vital role in this balancing process, from breaking down carbon
dioxide to supplying electrolytes, steroids (lipids), etc. One of the best
examples of this balancing process is the way the red blood cells, through
carbonic anhydrase, first convert cellular and systemic carbon dioxide
(acidic) into bicarbonate ions (alkaline), and then convert these back to
carbon dioxide when these ions reach the lungs.