Lecture 7: Acid-Base Imbalance on Control (I) Flashcards
Why regulate acidity?
Protein structure and enzymatic activities are dependent on pH
Inability to maintain pH within acceptable levels will stop enzyme reactions and lead to death
Body has developed various mechanisms (buffers) to maintain pH within a narrow range of 7.37-7.44 (Limits of pathological range – 6.8-7.8)
How does the body maintain the pH balance?
Acid-Base balance is maintained with the aid of buffers.
3 main buffer systems
What are the three main buffer systems of the body?
Bicarbonate – extracellular buffer
Phosphate – intracellular
Proteins - intracellular (acidic and basic side chains)
Volatile acids
CO2
Produced by cellular oxidation, TCA cycle
Non volatile acids
Catabolism of proteins and S-containing amino acids
Partial oxidation of fatty acids and glucose ( -OH butyrate, acetoacetate, lactate)
Ingestion of nonvolatile acid precursors (Phospholipids, Phosphoproteins, nutrients with more inorganic anions than inorganic cations)
How is CO2 used as a buffer system?
used as a buffer system to prevent rapid changes in extracellular pH
CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid: CO2 + H2O H 2CO3 H+ + HCO3-
Production of CO2 by body
Body produces 13000-15000 mmol of CO2 per day
If not removed, would be hazardous to health
What organs are involved in maintenance of acid-base balance?
Lungs
RBC
Kidneys
Henderson Hasselbach equation
pH = 6.1 + log(bicarbonate)/pCO2
How is normal pH range maintained?
by regulating the levels of bicarbonate ion concentration and pCO2 (concentration of carbon dioxide) in the blood.
What does binding of H+ to Hb do to Hb?
Reduces affinity for H+
Carbonic anhydrase
Converts CO2 and H2O into H2CO3 and reverse
CO2 transport in tissues and in lungs
See figure
Where does reabsorption of bicarbonate ions occur primarily?
Proximal tubule
See figure
Regulation of HCO3 concentration
Regulated by kidneys, depending on acid-base imbalance
Can only REDUCE the amount it reabsorbs
Where is H+ secreted predominantly?
Distal tubule
Which compensatory mechanisms are the fastest?
Lungs are faster than kidneys
When is ammonia buffer system used?
During extreme starvation and acidic conditions, amino acids are broken down to produce ammonia.
Ammonia can be used to buffer the H+
What is acidemia
acidic blood
What is alkalemia?
alkaline blood
What is acidosis?
Process which creates excess H+