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The existence of acids and bases is critical to the functioning of the human body. An acid is a compound that contains hydrogen, can accept unshared electron pairs, has a pH that is less than seven and is water-soluble. A base is a compound that contains a hydroxyl (OH) group, can give up unshared pairs of electrons, can accept protons, has a pH that is greater than seven and is water-soluble. An acid and a base can react together to form a salt.

Bicarbonate buffer system is the most important of the buffers that maintains the balance between acids and bases in blood and other parts of the body. It is also known as the carbonic acid bicarbonate acid system. The system helps keep the levels of carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, and carbon dioxide at the right levels for the body to function. This is done by neutralizing any extra acids or bases found in the system. When the bicarbonate buffer system does not work properly, the acid-base balance is thrown off. This causes conditions such as alkalemia or acidemia.