Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
What chemicals constitute the primary pH buffer system in the blood?
Bicarbonate and CO2
Normal pH of the blood
7.4 (7.35-7.45)
Organs that are largely responsible for pH control
Lungs (through PCO2)
Kidneys (through HCO3-)
donate protons
Acid
accept protons
Base
Acid/base that dissociates completely
Strong acid/base
Acid/base that dissociates partially (results in conjugate bases/acids)
Weak acid/base
a solution that resists pH changes when an acid or base is added
Buffer
Metabolic acids (acids other than carbonic acid) are eliminated via the ______
Kidneys
What are the two types of acid that are eliminated by the lung and kidney, respectively?
Lung eliminates respiratory acid = CO2
Kidney eliminates metabolic acid = end products of protein, AA, and nucleic acid metabolism
Normal concentration of bicarbonate in blood
24 (24-28 mEq/L)
Why is it beneficial to have our buffer system in an “open” environment
If our blood becomes acidic and shifts to producing CO2 from bicarbonate, the CO2 can be blown off in the lungs, allowing for minimal impact from the acid on our pH
Why is bicarbonate a good biological buffer?
- Abundant (24-28 mEq/L)
- Good in an open system (lungs)
- PCO2 and HCO3- can be regulated independently
Examples of other buffers in body besides bicarbonate
- Plasma proteins and intracellular proteins w/ acidic and basic residues
- Hb (rich in Histamine)
- Non-protein buffers
- movement of acids and bases between plasma and cells
Normal cell (cytosolic) pH
6.8
How do the kidneys respond to excess acid?
Elimination of acid in urine
Retention of bicarbonate