Acid-Base Flashcards
… donates H+
is the result of metabolism byproduct in the body
… accepts H+
acid
base
What is difference bt metabolic and respiratory acids, including the processes that result in these acids and their routes of elimination from the body?
respiratory acid - Carbs (CHO) (aerobic) - elimination thru lungs
metabolic acid - protein, fat, carbs (anaerobic) -> elimination thru kidney and liver
what is the normal pH range of body fluids?
acid-base balance in body where body fluid have pH of 7.4
range is 7.36-7.44
we need to keep that in homeostasis
why is it impt to keep pH in the normal range?
its impt to keep pH in normal range of 7.36-7.44 because our enzymes really only will work in that narrow range
what is the equation for the carbonic acid equilibrium?
respiratory acid
CHO -> CO2 + H20 - H2CO3(carbonic acid) - H+ + HC03- (bicarbonate)
* as H+ accumulates pH risks going down (happens if CO2 inc)
lung eliminates abt 15,000 mmol acid/day
How would you describe the importance of CO2 elimination and the consequences of disturbances in this process?
CO2 must be eliminated bc a buildup woudl lower pH too much - posioning system
Why doesn’t bicarbonate act as a buffer for respiratory acid?
buffer = substance that mitigates the impact of acid
bicarbonate (usually a buffer) does not act as a buffer for respiratory acid bc if you inc bicarbonate it pushes equation to left which just increases the CO2
if bicarbonate is not a buffer for acid, what is an important buffer in the respiratory system for acid? and what is the role?
hemoglobin
hemoglobin (an anion neg charge) buffers respiratory acid by binding to H+ from bicarbonate
so we have removed a proton from the system to help restore the pH to normal level - this process adds the bicarbonate to the system
Why do bicarbonate levels increase in a respiratory acidosis ( a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces) ?
bicarbonate increases because CO2 diffuses into hemoglobin and fuses w water which makes proton plus bicarbonate
hemoglobin binds to proton (removes proton) and this adds HC03- (bicarbonate) to system
What are examples of anions formed from the body’s metabolic acid and what are the fuel sources that generate each type of anion?
fuel sources:
protein, fat, carbs (anaerobic)
examples of anions: SO4-, PO4-, Lactate, Keytone
How would you describe the process involved in bicarbonate buffering of metabolic acids?
in this case (unlike respiratory acids) bicarbonate can act as a buffer of metabolic acids
ex:
H+Lactate- -> H+ + Lactate- + HCO3-
* proton plus bicarbonate = carbonic acid which disociates to water + co2 (breathe away)
* mitigates impact of adding the acid
How is the anion gap between common measured anions and cations in the body calculated, and what does this gap represent?
cation and anions in the body like to be in homeostasis - net electrically neutral in body
but there exists an difference bt them normally in the body called the anion gap
which represents aloumen (protein) of about 8-12 difference
anion gap equation:
Anion gap = ([Na+] + [K+]) - ([Cl-] + [HCO3-])
What is the significance of an elevated anion gap?
an increased anion gap will tell you that a metabolic acid has been added to the system
anion increase in the blood could be an indicator of what?
acid in blood- metabolic acidosis
How would you describe the relative efficiency of the body in eliminating respiratory and metabolic acids?
respiratory acid -> eliminated thru lungs at about 15,000 mmol/day
metabolic acid -> eliminated thru kidneys
at about 60-70 mg/day
* either by kidey filtration or
