pH and buffering Flashcards
Why is the regulation of blood pH important
Blood comes into contact with nearly every body cell.
What is the living and normal pH range in blood?
Living = 7 - 7.8 Normal = 7.35 - 7.45
How are acids generated
Hydrolysis of proteins
Incomplete oxidation of sugars and fatty acids
Movement of CO2 into blood creates carbonic acid
Why is there a greater range in pH of the urine than in the blood.
Urine is created in the kidneys which also regulates the pH of the blood; therefore pH of urine reflects what work has been done by the kidneys to regulate blood pH.
How is acid-base balance regulated in the body
In the lungs
In the kidneys
By buffers
Buffer definition
A substance that resists abrupt and large swings in pH of bodily fluids by compensating for any change in [H+] by releasing/binding to (therefore removing them)
What is a strong acid/base
One that fully dissociates in aqueous solution such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide
What is a weak acid/base
One that does not fully dissociate in aqueous solution such as ethanoic acid/ammonia
What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation?
pH = pKa + log ([A-]/[HA])
What components make up a buffer solution?
An aqueous solution of a weak acid and its conjugate base.
What are some physiologically important buffers?
Carbonic acid, H2CO3
Phosphoric acid H3PO4
Protein -> protein-
Protein + -> protein
