Acid Base Balance 1 and 2 Flashcards
Why is ECF pH so closely monitored?
Metabolic reactions are extremely sensitive to the pH of their environment, so a change in ECF pH causes severe metabolic disturbance
What is the normal ECF pH?
7.4
In what form does hydrogen contribute to ECF pH?
Only free H+ ions contribute
What are the two sources of H+ for the body?
- Respiratory acid
2. Metabolic acid via metabolism of organic and inorganic acids
What is the major source of alkali for the body?
Oxidation of organic anions such as citrate
What is the role of buffers in relation to H+ ions?
They minimise changes in pH when H+ ions are added
What is the name of the equation which gives the pH of a buffer solution?
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
What is the most important extracellular buffer?
Bicarbonate buffer
What determines the amount of bicarbonate in the body?
The amount of CO2 dissolved in the plasma, which depends on the solubility of CO2 and PCO2
What is the ‘standard bicarbonate’?
24mmoles/l
What is the normal pKa and mmHg value for ECF pCO2?
5.3 kPa (4.8-5.9)
40mmHg (36-44)
What is the special significance of the bicarbonate buffer system versus an ordinary buffer system?
There is involvement with ventilation - this IS NOT a closed system. When there is an increase in H+, the reaction is pushed to the right, but ventilation increases and therefore there is higher expulsion of CO2, eliminating some of this product from the equilibrium, rather than simply pushing the equation back towards the left as the H+ increase prompts an increase in products, this H+ expulsion greatly INCREASES THE BUFFERING CAPACITY OF THE BICARBONATE SYSTEM
The reverse occurs when there is a decrease in H+, the reaction pushes to the left and ventilation drops, increasing the amount of CO2, further pushing the reaction towards the left
The change in ventilation allows the chemical effect of the change in equilibrium to be magnified to allow greater control over the ECF equilibrium
What is the overall aim of the acid base balance system?
To maintain arterial pH
Where does elimination of H+ from the body take place?
The kidneys
What are the two linked factors which determine pH? How are the two regulated?
HCO3 - renal regulation, linked with H+ elimination
PCO2 - respiratory regulation
What is the effect on pH if the amount of bicarbonate decreases?
It becomes more acidic/decreases
What are the main intracellular buffer systems?
Plasma proteins
Describe the changes which need to take place if there is movement of protons from the ECF to the ICF
The electrochemical neutrality needs to be maintained to prevent a gradient, so the protons must either travel with chlorine or the proton must be exchanged for a cation - always K+. If this takes place, there must be a compensatory amount of K+ moved out of the cell in order to maintain the chemical K+ balance
When a proton moves from the ECF to the ICF, what cation may it be replaced with?
K+
What happens to H+ and K+ in acidosis? What results?
The increase in H+ in the ECF creates a gradient which causes it to enter the cell, forcing a cation departure from the cell of K+. This results in hyperkalaemia
Dysfunction to one or both of which two organ systems is likely to impact on the body pH?
Lungs
Kidneys
What is it important to deal with free H+ in the body? How is this done?
Is is very dangerous and an excess will cause extreme acidosis well outwith the ranges compatible with life.
To protect the body they are bound and buffered to reduce their effect, and then excreted by the kidney to correct the acid load