Lecture 27: Acid-base Homeostasis 1 Flashcards
What are acids?
Acids are H+ donors
Name a strong acid?
HCl
Name a weak acid?
Carbonic acid
What are bases?
Bases are H+ acceptors
Name a base?
Bicarbonate
What is a buffer?
is a chemical (weak acid and its conjugate base) in solution which resists (minimizes) the change in [H+].
What is the chemical buffer system in blood?
In blood, the principle buffer system is the weak acid (H2CO3) and its conjugate base (HCO3-)
What is pH?
Negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration(mol/L)
pH = -log10[H+]
Why do we use pH rather than [H+]?
pH scale was devised to cope with the wide range of H+ concentrations encountered in chemistry (taking logarithms makes it more manageable)
However Use of H+ rather than pH is becoming more prevalent in medicine, as it is a direct reflection of acid-base status
What is the relationship between pH and [H+] ?
- Change inversely.
- Exponential (non-linear) relationship
What are the reference ranges for blood?
pH: 7.35- 7.45
[H+]: 35 - 45 nmol/L
When is blood acidaemic?
If pH <7.35 ([H+] > 45 nmol/L), the patient is acidaemic
When is blood alkalaemic?
If pH >7.45 ([H+] < 35 nmol/L), the patient is alkalaemic
Why are changes in [H+] important within the body?
- Changes in [H+] can affect the surface charge and physical conformation of proteins (e.g. enzymes), changing their function
- The gradient of [H+] between the inner and outer mitochondrial membrane drives oxidative phosphorylation
When is H+ disposed from the body?
24hExcretion by lungs~ 20000 mmol/24h
Gluconeogenesis, Oxidation~ 1300 mmol/24h
Re-esterification,
Oxidation~ 650 mmol/24h
Oxidation~ 500 mmol/24h
Oxidation of amino acids~ 1100 mmol/24h
Excretion by the kidneys(Fixed acid) ~ 50 mmol/24hNote
When is H+ produced within the body?
Tissue respiration (CO2)~ 20000 mmol/24h
Glycolysis (Lactate)~ 1300 mmol/24h
Lipolysis (Free Fatty acids)~ 650 mmol/24h
Ketogenesis (Ketoacids)~ 500 mmol/24h
Ureagenesis (H+)~ 1100 mmol/24h
Sulphur-and Phosphate a.a.Metabolism ~ 50mmol/24h
What is Respiratory acid-base disturbance?
Abnormality affecting lung ability to excreted CO2
What is Non-respiratory (Metabolic) acid-base balance?
Abnormality anywhere else in the body except lungs
What is a strong acid?
an acid that fully dissociates its H+ ions
What is a weak acid?
an acid that partially dissociates its H+ ions
How does changes in pH affect proteins?
changes in H+ concentrations can affect the surface charge and physical conformation of proteins, changing their functions
How can changes in pH affect aerobic respiration?
the gradient of [H+] between the inner and outer mitochondrial membrane drives oxidative phosphorylation and if this balance is interrupted, so is aerobic respiration
How does tissue respiration affect H+ levels in the blood?
respiring tissues produce CO2 which can form H+ ions when transported in red blood cells
How is H+ produced by sulphur and phosphate metabolism controlled?
the H+ is excreted by the kidneys