Acid Base Regulation

Question 1

What does metabolism generate a lot of?

Answer 1

A lot of H+

Question 2

Which disorders affect acid base balance?

Answer 2

Disorders that affect respiratory performance/renal function or digestive system (asthma, emphysema,renal failure)

Question 3

Why do babies have greater challenges with acid base balance?

Answer 3

Due to immature kidneys and greater metabolic rates

Question 4

Why is acid base balance important?

Answer 4

PH affects protein structure and function (eg- enzymes)

Question 5

How do buffers help stabilise Ph?

Answer 5

They bind excess H+ (eg- Hb, albumin) phosphate buffers H+ in plasma and extra cellular fluid

Question 6

What type of compensation brings plasma pH back to normal?

Answer 6

Renal compensation and respiratory compensation

Question 7

Is renal compensation fast?

Answer 7

No it’s a sensitive but slow process

Question 8

Respiratory compensation?

Answer 8

Less sensitive but rapid

Question 9

Give examples of respiratory compensation:?

Answer 9

Breathing rapidly eliminates CO2 (lowers blood pH)
Reduces blood bicarbonate
Raises blood pH

Question 10

Renal compensation examples:

Answer 10

Eliminate H+ from CO2 and NH4+ into urine effectively but slowly
Renal tubule cells secrete H+ into urine via ATPase ion pumps
Urine H+ can be 1000 more acidic than blood

Question 11

Name 4 types of acid base imbalances?

Answer 11

1. respiratory acidosis
2. Respiratory alkalosis
3. Metabolic acidosis
4. Metabolic alkalosis

Question 12

Explain respiratory acidosis?

Answer 12

Most common type: when respiratory system can’t eliminate enough CO2
Blood is too acidic

Question 13

Acute causes of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 13

Can be caused by breath holding

Question 14

Chronic causes of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 14

Can be caused by airways obstructions, problems with medulla respiratory centres, lung diseases

Question 15

Renal compensation for respiratory acidosis?

Answer 15

Increased excretion of H+, reabsorption of HCO3-

Treatment: increase breathing rate/ use bronchodilators

Question 16

Respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 16

• quite uncommon: when blood is too alkali

- Low PCO2

Question 17

Acute causes of Respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 17

• Voluntary: blowing up balloons
• severe anxiety
• Entering cold water
• Fever
• Aspirin overdose

Question 18

Chronic causes of respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 18

Hypoxia (Low O2) due to living at high altitudes

• stroke
• liver failure

Question 19

Renal compensation for respiratory alkalosis:

Answer 19

(PCO2 still remains slow):
Decreases excretion of H+
Reduced reabsorption of HCO3-
Treatment: controlled breathing/ rebreathe air into a paper bag

Question 20

Metabolic acidosis?

Answer 20

Quite common- Low arterial HCO3 and low PH
Caused by:
acid accumulation due to diabetic/starvation
Renal failure
And loss of HCO3 due to severe diarrhoea

Question 21

Respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 21

Rapid hyperventilation increases loss of CO2
Renal compensation eliminates more H+ in urine
Treatment: intravenous HCO3

Question 22

Metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 22

High arterial HCO3, High PH
Caused by loss of acid due to vomiting, gastric suctioning, excess aldosterone
Caused by loss of base: intake of alkaline drugs

Question 23

Respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis

Answer 23

Hypoventilation to decrease loss of CO2

Treatment: ammonium chloride: generates G+ and Cl-