pH, acids/bases, buffers and control of pH

Question 1

What is pH?

Answer 1

The measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

Question 2

What does pH directly measure?

Answer 2

how much hydrogen is in a solution

Question 3

What is an acid?

Answer 3

release H+ into a soltuon

Question 4

What is a base?

Answer 4

Releases OH- into a solution

Question 5

What is a buffer?

Answer 5

A solution that consists of a weak acid and a weak base mixed together

Question 6

What is the main buffer system in the blood?

Answer 6

Carbonic acid-bicarbonate

Question 7

What is the relationship between carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions and blood pH?

Answer 7

H2CO3 acts as a weak acid, releasing H+ if system becomes too basic

HCO3- acts as a weak base, binding H+ if system becomes to acidic

Question 8

What is the normal concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood?

Answer 8

24 mEq/L

Question 9

How does the respiratory system work to maintain blood pH?

Answer 9

Hyperventilation to decrease CO2 levels causing blood pH to rise and Hypoventilation to increase in CO2 levels causing blood pH to decrease

Question 10

What gas is the respiratory system most sensitive to?

Answer 10

CO2

Question 11

How does the respiratory system respond to increases or decreases of CO2?

Answer 11

Hypoventilation (increase CO2) or Hyperventilation (decrease CO2)

Question 12

What effect does hypoventilation and hyperventilation have on blood pH?

Answer 12

Hypoventilation= decrease in pH

Hyperventilation= increase in pH