Lecture 3: Acid Base Flashcards
Why is tight pH regulation necessary?
- Proper enzyme structure and function
- Proton gradient between inner and outer mitochondrial membrane drives oxidative phosphorylation which produces ATP
What is the normal concentration of H in arterial blood?
35-45 nmol/L
What is the normal range for pH in the blood?
7.35-7.45
What is the normal concentration of bicarbonate in the blood?
21-28 mmol/L
What is the normal range for pCO2?
35-45 mm Hg
How is regulation of pH achieved?
- HCO₃ reabsorption
- H⁺ excretion
- CO₂ Expiration
- Buffer systems in blood
How does HCO₃ reabsorption work to regulate pH?
- HCO₃ is filtered at glomeruli and almost all is reabsorbed in the proximal tubules of the kidney
- Luminal surface of the renal tubular cells of the kidney is impermeable to HCO₃ so it must convert into carbon dioxide and water
- Carbon dioxide and water can now go into the renal tubular cells where it is converted back into HCO₃ and H
- HCO₃ crosses the basolateral surface and enters blood
- H returns to the renal tubular lumen in exchange for Na
Where does H+ excretion occur? How does H⁺ excretion work to regulate pH?
- H+ excretion occurs in the distal convoluted tubule and the collecting duct
- H combines with buffers HPO₄ and NH₃ to form H₂PO₄ and NH₄⁺
- HCO₃ is regenerated in this process
How does buffer systems in blood work to regulate pH?
Buffers bind to H as they are generated and limit the increase in H concentration
What is the major extracellular and intracellular buffer?
Extra: bicarbonate
Intra: hemoglobin
What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation?
pH = 6.1 + log(HCO3/0.03xpCO2)
What are the acids produced by the human body?
Carbonic, phosphoric, sulphuric, lactic, and ketoacids
What are the acid base patterns associated with metabolic acidosis?
Low pH
High H
Very low bicarbonate
What are the causes of metabolic acidosis?
- H formation ex. ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis
- Decreased H excretion ex. renal failure, renal tubular acidosis
- Loss of bicarbonate ex. renal tubular acidosis type 2, diarrhea
What are the acid base patterns associated with respiratory acidosis?
Low pH
High H
Normal (acute) or high bicarbonate (chronic)