Acid Base Balance 1&2 Flashcards
What is the normal pH of arterialised blood?
7.4
What is the concentration of free hydrogen ions in blood that has a pH of 7.4?
40x10^ -6 mmoles/l
Do bound hydrogen ions contribute to the pH?
No - only free ions contribute to the pH
What are the sources of hydrogen ions in the body?
Respiratory acid: not normally a factor unless lung function is impaired
Inorganic acids e.g. S-containing amino acids
Organic acids: fatty acids and lactic acid
What is the net gain of hydrogen ions in the body per day?
50-100
What is the major source of alkalis in the body?
Oxidation of organic anions e.g. citrate
What is the normal bicarbonate level in the body?
24 mmoles/l (22-26)
What is the normal CO2 level in the blood?
1.2 mmoles/l
What is the normal range of pH in the blood?
7.37-7.43
What is the normal value of pCO2?
5.3kPa (4.8-5.9) or 40mmHg (36-44)
How does a buffer system work?
It minimises changes in the pH when hydrogen ions are added or removed
What is the ratio of bicarbonate to CO2 when the pH is 7.4?
20:1
How does the bicarbonate buffer system decreases the hydrogen ion concentration?
The excess hydrogen ions drive the equation to the right so that some of the hydrogen ions are removed from solution
What effect does the buffer system have on CO2 and ventilation?
It increases ventilation and decreases CO2
Are the extra hydrogen ions removed from the body?
No - the bicarbonate has buffered the hydrogen ions and prevented them contributing to the pH
How are hydrogen ion removed from the body?
They are excreted by the kidneys
Which organ controls the bicarbonate concentration?
Kidneys
What other buffer exist in the ECF?
Plasma proteins and dibasic phosphate
What are the primary intracellular buffers?
Proteins, organic/inorganic phosphates and haemoglobin (in erythrocytes)
What is the effect of buffering the hydrogen ions using the ICF buffers?
It causes changes in plasma electrolytes since to maintain electrical neutrality movement of hydrogen ions must be accompanied by chloride ions or exchanged for potassium
What is the consequence of moving potassium out of cells into the plasma?
Hyperkalaemia: depolarisation of excitable tissues leading to VF and death
Why is there wasting of bones in chronic renal failure?
Bone carbonate provides an additional store of buffer
How do the kidneys regulate bicarbonate levels?
Reabsorbing filtered bicarbonate and generating new bicarbonate
How is bicarbonate reabsorbed?
1) Active hydrogen ion secretion from the tubule cells
2) Couple to passive sodium reabsorption
3) Filtered bicarbonate reacts with the hydrogen to form HC2CO3 which is converted to CO2 and H2O in the presence of carbonic anhydrase
4) CO2 is freely permeable and enters the cell
5) CO2 is converted back to H2CO3 which dissociates to form hydrogen and bicarbonate
6) The hydrogen is then secreted