Lecture 18: Acid/Base Balance

Question 1

Differentiate between alkalemia and acidemia. Which one is rarer?

Answer 1

pH of above 7.45 = physiological alkalosis, or alkalemia
pH of below 7.35 = physiological acidosis, or acidemia
Alkalosis is a much rarer problem, almost never pathological.

Question 2

Where can a protein buffer be observed? Which two attachments function within a protein buffer?

Answer 2

Hemoglobin. Carboxyl (weak acid) and amino (weak base).

Question 3

Where can a bicarbonate buffer system be observed? Phosphate?

Answer 3

Serum and extracellular spaces.
In urine, there is phosphate and bicarbonate buffer systems.

Question 4

Which enzyme speeds up the bicarbonate buffer in RBCs?

Answer 4

Carbonic anhydrase

Question 5

What are 2 causes for respiratory acidosis? 3 causes for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 5

Resp = lung damage, insufficient O2
Met = anaerobic metabolism, kidney dysfunction, incomplete breakdown of fatty acids (ex. starvation, diabetes)

Question 6

Name 1 cause of respiratory alkalosis. Name 3 causes of metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 6

Resp = low CO2 in blood because of hyperventilation
Met = vomiting, bicarbonate consumption, constipation

Question 7

Which 2 structures increases CO2 and H+ drive ventilation?

Answer 7

Peripheral and central chemoreceptors

Question 8

Do the chart of met/resp acid/alkalosis.

Answer 8

Resp acidosis = low pH, high CO2, normal HCO3, compensate by excreting H+, absorbing HCO3.
Met acidosis = low pH, normal CO2, low HCO3, compensate by hyperventilating.
Resp alkalosis = high pH, low CO2, normal HCO3, compensate by absorbing H+, excreting HCO3.
Met alkalosis = high pH, normal CO2, high HCO3, compensate by hypoventilating.

Question 9

What does vomiting typically cause? Diarrhea?

Answer 9

Vomiting = alkalosis
Diarrhea = acidosis