Acid Base Balance And Osmolarity Flashcards
What is the reference range for plasma H+ ions?
35.5 - 44.5 nmol/L
How does alkalosis affect calcium?
Lowers free Ca2+
Causes Ca2+ ions to come out of solution
Increased neuronal excitability
Paraesthesia and tetany
How does acidosis affect proteins?
Decreased pH due to increased H+ ions
Disturbs/denatures enzymes
Affects muscle contractility, glycolysis and hepatic function
About which pH do we consider acidosis severe and then life threatening?
Severe < 7.1
Life threatening < 7.0
What number is the constant pK in the Henderson-Hesselbach equation?
6.1
What is the normal physiological pH?
7.4
How would respiratory acidosis occur?
Hypoventilation
Leads to hypercapnia (increased CO2 in plasma)
This decreases plasma pH
Causing acidosis
How does respiratory alkalosis occur?
Hyperventilation causes hypocapnia in the plasma
Fall in CO2 causes increase in pH
Alkalosis
How is respiratory acidosis compensated for?
Kidneys increase the level of bicarbonate
How is respiratory alkalosis compensated for?
Kidneys decrease the concentration of bicarbonate
What is metabolic acidosis?
A fall in pH due to a fall in conc of bicarbonate
Can be compensated for by increased ventilation
What is metabolic alkalosis?
A rise in plasma bicarbonate which can only be partially compensated by decreasing ventilation
What is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?
Repeated vomiting
How do the kidneys increase bicarbonate levels?
Excrete less bicarbonate in the urine
Make more bicarbonate
What do the kidneys use to make bicarbonate?
Kidneys have a high conc of CO2 due to their high metabolic rate - react this with water to form bicarbonate
Also can make bicarbonate from amino acids
(This means ammonium will be present in the urine)
Where does the majority of bicarbonate reabsorption take place?
PCT
80%
Describe the mechanism for reabsorption of bicarbonate
Na/K/ATPase on basolateral membrane creates the Na+ gradient
Na+ enters cell in exchange for H+ (NHE on apical membrane)
H+ reacts with the bicarbonate to form CO2 and water which can diffuse into the cell
In the cell it is reconverted into HCO3- and H+
HCO3- passes out of the cell via the Na-HCO3 symporter on the basolateral membrane
Which amino acid is used to produce bicarbonate?
Glutamine
What is the minimum urine pH?
4.5