Acid Base Balance Flashcards
Why is ECF pH regulation so important?
H+ is very reactive, changes in pH cause changes in metabolic reactions
What is the normal blood pH?
7.4
Which ions contribute to pH?
FREE H+
What is the typical concentration of free H+?
40x10^-9
What are the sources of acid?
Respiratory Acid Metabolic acid
How is respiratory acid produced?
CO2 + H2O = H2CO3 = H+ + HCO3-
Why is carbonic acid not normally a net contributor to acid levels?
Usually ↑acid = ↑ventilation
What are the sources of metabolic acid?
Inorganic acids Organic acids
What are the sources of inorganic acids?
S-containing amino acids (H2SO4) Phospholipids (Phosphoric acids)
What are the sources of organic acids?
Fatty acids Lactic acids
What is the normal daily net gain of acid?
50-100mmoles H+/day
What is the source of alkali?
Oxidation of organic anions i.e citrate
Carbonic acid dissociates into what?
H+ + HCO3-
What is the role of buffers?
Minimise pH changes when H+ ions are removed
What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation?
pH defined in ratio of acid to base pH = pK + log([A-]/[HA])
What is the most important extracellular buffer?
Bicarbonate buffer system
What is the pK of bicarbonate?
6.1
What is the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid in normal blood pH?
20:1
The quantity of H2CO3 depends on what?
CO2 in plasma Solubility/partial pressure of CO2
What is the normal [HCO3-] in man?
24mmoles/L (22-26)
What is the normal pCO2 in man?
40mmHg (36-44)
Why does the increased levels of H2O and CO2 due to carbonic acid dissociation not cause equilibrium and increased H+?
The CO2 is exhaled
What is the net effect of respiratory compensation of increased acid?
The dissociation is driven to the right and more able to act as a buffer
Decreased [H+] will lead to what?
Decreased ventilation, increased CO2
[HCO3-] is regulated where?
Renal system
PCO2 is regulated where?
Respiratory system
What are the ECF buffers?
HCO3- Plasma proteins Dibasic phosphate
How do plasma proteins buffer acid?
Pr- + H+ = HPr
How does Dibasic phosphate buffer acid?
HPO42- + H+ « H2PO4- (monobasic phosphate)
What are the primary intracellular buffers?
Proteins
Organic/inorganic phosphates
Haemoglobin
How is movement of H+ kept electrochemically neutral?
Exchange for K+
Or
Accompany with Cl-
How does acidosis cause ventricular fibrillation?
Movement of K+ out of cells causes Hyperkalemia
Depolarisation of excitable dissues –> VFib
Where is the additional store of acid buffer?
Bone
How does chronic renal failure lead to bone wasting?
The additional store of carbonate (bones) is broken down to free it
Acidosis leads to what change in the blood?
Hyperkalemia
Where is metabolic acid buffered?
43% in plasma
57% in cells
Where is respiratory acid buffered?
97% in cells (Hb and plasma proteins)
How does the kidney regulate [HCO3-]?
Reabsorption of HCO3-
Generation of new HCO3-
Where is new HCO3- generated?
Kidneys
Secretion of H+ from tubule cells is coupled with what?
Passive Na+ reabsorption
What is the mechanism for HCO3- reabsorption?
H+ filtered out (Na+ reabsorbed)
H+ and HCO3- forms H2O + CO2 in presence of carbionic anhydrase on luminal membrane
CO2 taken up and form back into H+ and HCO3- in presence of carbionic anhydrase
HCO3- passes back into the peritubular capillaries with Na+
What enzyme assists with HCO3- dissociation?
Carbonic anhydrase
What is the source of secreted H+?
H+ released by the dissociation of H2CO3