Acid Base Intro

Question 1

ACID - BASE

Answer 1

• pH – the ‘potential’ or ‘power’ of Hydrogen
• A scale that identifies the acidity or basicity of a solution
• Look at hydrogen ions
• [H+] – the hydrogen ion concentration

Question 2

How to determine Acid or Base

Answer 2

• pH is the negative logarithm
• When the [H+] goes up, the pH goes down - ACID
• When the [H+] goes down, the pH goes up - ALKALINE

Question 3

Do acids have more or less H+ ions?

Answer 3

• Acids have more H+ ions
• Substances that can donate a H+

Question 4

Do bases have more or less H+ ions?

Answer 4

• Bases (alkaline substances) have less H+ ions
• Accept a H+ ions
• Give up hydroxide ion OH-

Question 5

What happens to acids in a solution?

Answer 5

• Strong acids – dissociate completely in solution
• Weak acids – dissociate partially

Question 6

How does hydrogen affect the body?

Answer 6

• Helps maintain cell membranes
• Helps with enzyme activity
• Component of H2O and keeps the body hydrated
• Helps in energy production
• Hydrogen is a component of = Sugars, Proteins, Starch, Fats

Question 7

Acid – Base Balance

Answer 7

• 7 is neutral
• Equal [H+] and [OH-]
• Body wants to keep within a ‘normal’ range (homeostasis)
• Normal pH: 7.35 – 7.45
• We measure this in the serum (blood)
• This not the same everywhere in the body

Question 8

Where is the pH highest in the body?

Answer 8

• The stomach is uniquely designed to handle HCl
• HCl found outside the stomach causes damage
• Duodenum has defense mechanisms to neutralize the acid
• LES prevents the movement of gastric acid into the esophagus

Question 9

Other places in the body pH is not 7.35-7.45?

Answer 9

• Digestive tract (varies from 4.0-8.5)
• Skeletal muscle 6.9 – 7.2
• Bone 7.4
• Liver 7.2
• Pleural fluid 7.6

Question 10

What electrolytes can be affected by acid/base imbalances?

Answer 10

• Na+
• K+
• Cl-

Question 11

What else can be effected by acid/base imbalances?

Answer 11

• Most enzymes function within narrow pH ranges
• Can affect hormones
• Oxygen transport and delivery also affected

Question 12

What are two types of acids in the body?

Answer 12

Volatile and Nonvolatile

• Volatile acids: can be eliminated from the body as a gas
• Nonvolatile acids: must be metabolized or excreted in fluid

Question 13

Volatile Acids

Answer 13

• Can be converted to gas
• Excreted/eliminated by the lungs
• One volatile acid in the body: Carbonic acid: H2CO3

H2CO3 H2O + CO2

Question 14

Nonvolatile Acids

Answer 14

Metabolized by the body – primarily the liver and kidney

• Lactic acid

Eliminated by the kidney

• Phosphoric acid
• Sulfuric acid
• Acetoacetic acid
• Beta-hydroxybutyric

Question 15

Does the body produce more acids or bases?

Answer 15

ACIDS

Question 16

What can change the pH in the body?

Answer 16

• Ingest in food/drink
• Metabolism of lipids and proteins
• Cellular metabolism waste product – CO2 a volatile acid

Question 17

Which is more difficult to correct acid or base imbalance?

Answer 17

• More difficult to correct an alkaline pH
• Want to avoid alkalosis, especially if the person is ill – the hgb hold on to oxygen more

Question 18

You are

AWESOME!

Answer 18