Hydrogen Ions, Acids, and Bases

Question 1

In what two forms do hydrogen ions circulate in the body?

Answer 1

Volatile hydrogen of carbonic acid.

Nonvolatile form of hydrogen and organic acids.

Question 2

How are acids produced in the body?

Answer 2

Acids are produced as end products of metabolism.

Question 3

How do acids relate to hydrogen ions?

Answer 3

Acids contain hydrogen ions and are hydrogen ion donors.

Question 4

What does it mean for acids to be hydrogen donors?

Answer 4

Acids give up hydrogen ions to neutralize or decrease the strength of an acid or to form a weaker base.

Question 5

What determines the strength of an acid?

Answer 5

The number of hydrogen ions it contains.

Question 6

What kind of hydrogen do the lungs excrete? (volatile or non-volatile)

Answer 6

volatile (13,000 to 30,000 mEq/day) in the form of CO2

Question 7

What kind of hydrogen do the kidneys excrete? (volatile or non-volatile)

Answer 7

Non-volatile acids (50 mEq/day)

Question 8

Do bases contain hydrogen ions?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

What does it mean for bases to be hydrogen acceptors?

Answer 9

They accept hydrogen ions from acids to neutralize or decrease the strength of a base or to form a weaker acid.