Acid / Base intro Flashcards
Acids have more ______ ions.
H+
What are acids able to do with H+ ions?
Donate them
Bases have less H+ but they are able to do what?
Accept H+ or give up OH- ions.
How do strong acids behave in solution?
Dissociates completely.
How do weak acids behave in solution?
Dissociate partially.
What are 4 roles of H+ in the body?
Help maintain cell membranes
Help with enzyme activity
Component of water and helps keep the body hydrated
Help with energy production
What pH is neutral?
7
What are specific reasons the body functions best within serum pH ranges?
-Enzymes function within narrow pH ranges
-Acid/base balance affects Na+, K+, Cl-
-Can affect hormones
-Oxygen transport and delivery depends on pH
How is oxygen transport and delivery changed with a more acidic pH?
Hemoglobin gives oxygen up easier at the tissue.
How is oxygen transport and delivery changed with a more alkaline pH?
Hemoglobin will hold oxygen tighter and not give it to the tissues.
What pHs are incompatible with life?
< 6.8
> 7.8
What are the 2 types of acids in the body?
Volatile and nonvolatile acids.
What are volatile acids?
Acids that can be converted to gas and excreted / eliminated by the lungs.
What is the only volatile acid in the body?
Carbonic acid (H2CO3).
What are the examples of nonvolatile acids in the body?
Lactic acid
Phosphoric acid
Sulfuric acid
Acetoacetic acid
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid
How is lactic acid eliminated from the body?
Kidneys
What does phosphoric acid work with and why?
Calcium to form bones and support kidney function.
Where is acetoacetic acid made?
In the liver.
When would beta-hydroxybutyric acid be elevated?
Exercise, fasting, or calorie restriction.
What are 3 ways in which the body tries to maintain acid-base homeostasis?
Buffers, the respiratory system, renal
What are buffers?
Chemicals in the body that combine with acid or base to change the pH because they can accept or release H+. These can happen almost instantaneous but are short lived.
What are the 3 types of buffer in the body?
Bicarbonate - carbonic acid buffer
Phosphate buffer
Protein buffer
What is the main ECF buffer?
Bicarbonate - carbonic acid
How is carbonic acid (H2CO3) made in the body?
From CO2 (as a byproduct of cellular metabolism) and water (found from the serum) (this happens in the lungs) via the assistance of carbonic anhydrase (which is made in the lungs and kidneys).
Alternatively, made from bicarbonate and H+ joining together (this can happen in the kidneys)
this is why the kidneys and the lungs can change pH
What is the main intracellular buffer?
Phosphate buffer
What is the action of the phosphate buffer system?
Hydrogen + hydrogen phosphate (which can act as either a base or an acid) = dihydrogen phosphate
This makes the system less acidic because the hydrogen is no longer free.
Hemoglobin is considered what type of buffer?
Protein
How does the body get rid of carbonic acid?
Exhalation
Do respiratory mechanisms affect non-volatile acid concentrations in the body?
No
What type of acid can the kidneys not excrete?
Carbonic acid (done by lungs)
What system is the most effective regulator of pH?
Kidneys
What are the rates of correction for buffers, respiratory, and renal mechanisms to stabilize pH?
Buffer = almost instantly
Respiratory = minutes - hours
Kidney = hours - days
In the body what is considered acidotic and alkaline?
< 7. 35 = acidosis
> 7.45 = alkaline
If the underlying problem is metabolic, what system compensates?
The respiratory system
If the underlying problem is respiratory, what system compensates?
The renal system
How does respiration rate, blood CO2, and blood carbonic acid respond to acidosis?
RR: increase
CO2: decrease
Carbonic acid: decreases
How does respiration rate, blood CO2, and blood carbonic acid respond to alkalosis?
RR: decrease
CO2: increase
Carbonic acid: increases
What is the primary controller of the carbonic acid supply?
The lungs
If someone is hyperventilating (blowing off more CO2) how does that change their pH?
Increases - more basic
If someone is hypoventilating (retaining CO2) how does that change their ph?
Decreases - more acidic
What is the primary controlled of the bicarbonate supply?
The kidneys
What is the normal pH values in the body?
7.35 - 7.45
What is the normal CO2 values in the body?
35-45
What is the normal pO2 values in the body?
80-100
What is the normal HCO3 values in the body?
22-26
