Acid/Base Phys Flashcards
LO 1. Define the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation for Bicarbonate/CO2.
H2O + CO2 H2CO3 H+ + HCO3- pH = 6.1 + log [HCO3] / 0.03xPCO2 For a normal bicarbonate concentration of 24 mM (at sea-level) and an arterial PCO2 of 40 Torr, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation gives arterial blood pH of 7.40.
What is normal human pH?
normal pH is 7.4 (7.38-7.43, perhaps a bit higher here in Denver)
What are the 2 major types of buffers?
intracellular and extracellular
What are the intracellular buffers?
organic phosphates, proteins, ESPECIALLY hemoglobin
What are the extracellular buffers?
phosphate, ESPECIALLY bicarbonate and plasma proteins (mostly albumin)
pH = pK + log [A-] [HA]
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
For humans, the best buffer ought to be close to what pH?
7.4
______ is the conjugate base of carbonic acid.
Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate is the conjugate base of _______.
carbonic acid
Why is bicarbonate the most important buffer in the body?
- It is present in relatively high concentration (higher than phosphate)
- The pK is relatively close to arterial pH
- The conjugate acid, CO2, is readily controlled via ventilation by the lungs
_______ has a pK of 7.9.
Deoxyhemoglobin
Deoxyhemoglobin has a pK of _____.
7.9
Carbon dioxide can then diffuse into red blood cells, where it is rapidly converted to bicarbonate and the protons are buffered by _______.
deoxyhemoglobin
Carbon dioxide can then diffuse into red blood cells, where it is rapidly converted to ______ and the protons are buffered by deoxyhemoglobin.
bicarbonate
The acid/base status of normal arterial blood can be altered in two general ways: (a) ________, or (b) by too much or too little acid, resulting in a metabolic disturbance.
by altering PCO2 resulting in a respiratory disorder
The acid/base status of normal arterial blood can be altered in two general ways: (a) by altering PCO2 resulting in a respiratory disorder or (b) ______.
by too much or too little acid, resulting in a metabolic disturbance
Too much acid in the blood is referred to as ______, and too much base in the blood is referred to as ______.
academia; alkalemia
Because CO2 can be regulated by the _______ and bicarbonate can be regulated by the _______, the body will attempt to compensate for any acid-base disturbance to try and correct the pH back towards normal.
lungs; kidneys
What is respiratory acidosis?
an increase in arterial PCO2, leading to a decrease in pH
This is an increase in arterial PCO2, leading to a decrease in pH.
respiratory acidosis
What can lead to chronic respiratory failure?
- emphysema
- chronic bronchitis (COPD)
- bronchiectasis
- Central hypoventilation disorders (obesity hypoventilation)
- neuromuscular diseases (e.g. ALS, AKA Lou Gehrig’s disease)