24.3 Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

normal body and tissue fluid pH

Answer 1

7.35 to 7.45

Question 2

acid-base balance

Answer 2

a state in which the pH of the body fluids is homeostatically regulated within the normal range

Question 3

strong acid

Answer 3

an acid that ionizes freely, gives up most of its hydrogen ions, and can markedly lower the pH of a solution; e.g. hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Question 4

weak acid

Answer 4

an acid that ionizes only slightly and keeps most hydrogen in a chemically bound form that doesn’t affect pH; e.g. carbonic acid

Question 5

base

Answer 5

any chemical that accepts H+

Question 6

strong base

Answer 6

a chemical that has a strong tendency to bind H+ and raise the pH; hydroxide ion

Question 7

weak base

Answer 7

a chemical that binds less of the available H+ and has less effect on pH; e.g. bicarbonate ion

Question 8

buffer

Answer 8

any mechanism that resists pH changes by converting a strong acid or base to a weak one

Question 9

physiological buffer

Answer 9

a system (the respiratory or urinary system) that stabilizes pH by controlling the body’s output of acids, bases, or CO2

Question 10

chemical buffer

Answer 10

a substance that binds