Acid and Balance Flashcards
Why is the pH of the ECF very closely monitored
As metabolic reactions are exquisitely sensitive to the pH of the fluid which they occur in
ie high reactivity of H+ ions can cause a change in configuration and functions of proteins - especially in enzymes
What is the normal pH and its range of the ECG
ph 7.4
Range 7.3-7.43
What defines the pH
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation defines the pH in terms of ratio acid to base
𝑝𝐻=𝑝𝐾+ log [𝐴−]/[𝐻𝐴]
What only contributes to the pH
Free H+ ions
What is the sources of H+ ions in the body
Respiratory Acid - Via respiration
Metabolic acid via metabolism
Diet
Why is carbonic acid (H2CO3) not a normally a contributor to increased acid
H2CO3 depends on the amount of CO2 dissolved in the plasma so an increase H2CO3 production causes an increase in ventilation,
(not an increase in acid production)
What is the purpose of buffers in the body
minimise changes in pH when H+ ions are added or removed
What kind of buffers are there in the body
Extracellular buffer
Intracellular buffer
What is the extracellular buffers in the body
Bicarbonate Buffer system
(most important buffer)
Plasma protein buffer
Dibasic phosphate buffer
What is the bicarbonate buffer the most important buffer
As pH is proportional to (HCO3)/PCO2
So the independent regulation of the (HCO3) and PCO2 is the basis of the compensatory mechanism to determine and maintain pH
What is the affect on pH and PCO2 if (HCO3-) decreased
The pH and the partial pressure of CO2 also decreases
What is the Normal value and range of PCO2
5.3KPa
(Range - 4.8-5.9KPa)
OR
40mmHg
(Range 36- 44mmHg)
What is the normal value and range of (HCO3-)
24mmoles
range 22-26mmoles
What is intracellular buffers
Primary intracellular buffers are proteins, organic and inorganic phosphates and in the erythrocytes haemoglobin
What is the occurs when ICF buffers buffer H+
causes changes in plasma electrolytes,
so to maintain electrochemical neutrality, movement of H+ must be accompanied by a Cl- in red cells or exchanged for a cation, K+
What is the clinical implications, of ICF buffer, in acidosis
So in acidosis (increase H+) the movement of K+ out of the cells into the plasma can cause hyperkalemeia
which can cause depolarisation of excitable tissues resulting in ventricular fibrillation and death
Why are buffers so important in the body
We receive 50-100moles H+ per day from diet, as present as free H+ in total body water causing a pH of 1.2-2.4
But due to the buffers the pH remains remarkebly constant at 7.4
What affect does metabolism have on respiratory acid
Metabolism produces CO2, which produces a respiratory acid loading
Why is the bicarbonate buffer, not an ordinary buffer system
If this was an ordinary buffer system then as increases H+ initially drives the reaction to the right, then over time an equilibrium would form
In bicarbonate buffer the reaction is pulled to the righr, greatly increasing the buffering capacity of the bicarbonate
the production of CO2 by the equilibrium shifting to the right stimulates ventilation, the ventilation then causes the elimination of the CO2, preventing the mechanism going backward
this is called acute respiratory regulation
What occurs to the H+ in acute respiratory regulation
The H+ is not being eliminated from the body, as the HCO3 has buffered the H+ and the respiratory compensation has greatly increased the buffering capacity so that free H+ ions are prevented from contributing to the pH