Biochemistry

Question 1

in the acid/base balance, what is being regulated and why?

Answer 1

• hydrogen ion conc = [H+]

- 60milimol H+ are produced by metabolism daily and these need to be excreted in urine = urine is acidic

Question 2

why is bicarbonate important?

Answer 2

• other buffer systems reach equilibrium
• carbonic acid is removed as CO2
• the limit is the initial conc of HCO3-

Question 3

equation for acid/base

Answer 3

H+ + HCO3- _ H2CO3 _ CO2 + H2O

Question 4

what is the respiratory component?

Answer 4

pCO2

Question 5

what is the metabolic component?

Answer 5

HCO3-

Question 6

what is acidosis (acidaemia) ?

Answer 6

an increase of H+, or a process tending to cause an increase in H+

Question 7

what is alkalosis (alkalaemia) ?

Answer 7

a decrease in h+, or a process tending to cause a decrease in H+

Question 8

what is respiratory acidosis?

Answer 8

an increase in H+ due to an increase in pCO2

Question 9

what is respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 9

a decrease in H+ due to a decrease in pcO2

Question 10

what is metabolic acidosis?

Answer 10

an increase in H+ due to a decrease in HCO3-

Question 11

what is metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 11

a decrease in H+ due to an increase in HCO3-

Question 12

what are the problems with the acid/base equation?

Answer 12

1. too much H+
2. too much CO2
3. too little H+
4. too little CO2

Question 13

how does the body compensate for too much H+?

Answer 13

the lungs blow off CO2

Question 14

how does the body compensate for too much CO2?

Answer 14

the kidneys get rid of H+

Question 15

what are the causes of respiratory acid/base disorders?

Answer 15

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• chocking
• bronchopneumonia
• hysterical over breathing
• mechanical over-ventilation
• raised intracranial pressure

Question 16

what are the causes of metabolic acid/base disorders?

Answer 16

• impaired H+ excretion
• increased H+ production or ingestion
• loss of HCO3-
• loss of H+ in vomit
• alkali injestion
• potassium deficiency