Acid base balance I Flashcards
Why is acid/base balance so important?
Small changes in pH –> huge impacts on the body
How is pH calculated?
pH = -log10 [H+]
What is the normal pH range in the body?
7.35-7.45
BUT, there are SOME tissues which sit outside of this range
What is the pH scale described as?
What does this mean?
1) A log scale
- For every 1 unit change in pH, theres is a X10 change in [H+]
2) A reciprocal scale
- Increase in pH, decrease in [H+]
What does a pH of 7.35-7.45 correspond to in [H+]?
45-35 nmoles/litre
What happens to the pH in the capillary bed?
Drops from 7.45 to 7.35
What is pH above 7.45 classed as?
Alkalosis
What is pH below 7.35 classed as?
Acidosis
What 3 major things can fluctuations in [H+] have an effect on?
1) Excitability of muscles/nerves
2) Enzyme activities
3) K+ levels
How do changes in [H+] change the excitability of muscles/nerves?
Changes the binding of H+ to the ion channels associated with excitability
How do changes in [H+] change enzyme activities?
Enzymes are pH sensitive
How do changes in [H+] change K+ levels?
What does this cause?
Increase in [H+] concentration in the plasma decreases [K+] in the cell as:
- Body tries to get rid of H+ in the plasma, by transporting it into the cell
- As the expense of K+ - transported out
Causes:
- Hyperkalemia
- Impact on the excitable cells of the body
What is the pH of gastric secretions?
0.7
What is the pH of CSF?
7.3
What is the pH of pancreatic secretions?
8.1
What is the pH of the final urine?
5.4
What are the sources of acid/alkali?
1) Metabolism
2) Diet
What produces more H+, metabolism or diet?
Metabolism (double at 40mmol/day)
What is lost in the diet?
10 mmol/day of OH-
What produces a lot of alkali?
Fruit
Why is the western diet an excess of H+?
Protein rich - lots of H+
How much excess of H+ is there per day?
Why must happen to this H+?
Net excess of 70mmol/day
Must be regulated to prevent acidosis
What are the 3 systems that regulate acid levels in the body?
How long does it take for the 3 systems to act?
1) Blood and tissue BUFFERS
- Takes seconds
2) Respiration
- Takes minutes
3) Renal
- Takes hours/days
What do buffers do to regulate H+ levels?
Bind to free H+