pH Stuff

Question 1

_______________ _____________ is the principal method through which acids enter the human body.

Answer 1

Cellular metabolism

Question 2

Chemical acid-base buffers are composed of combinations of

Answer 2

a weak acid and its anion for example the bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)
or a weak base and its cation such as ammonium (NH4+).

Question 3

There are three major chemical buffer systems in the body that are fast-acting, generally responding within seconds. They are:

Answer 3

The bicarbonate system acts as the main buffer of the interstitial and plasma fluids. The phosphate system acts as one of the buffers in the urine and intracellular fluid. The protein system acts as the main buffer of the intracellular fluid.

Question 4

The bicarbonate buffer system is composed of

Answer 4

the weak carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate ion (HCO3-).

Question 5

Too much CO2 in the blood makes it acidic or basic?

Answer 5

Acidic

Question 6

__________ is the form in which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood plasma.

Answer 6

Bicarbonate
HCO3-

Question 7

The respiratory center has chemoreceptors in the _____________ that monitor the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. If too acidotic (too much CO2) then we ______________, if too little we ______________.

Answer 7

medulla (of the brainstem)
hyperventilate
hypoventilate

Question 8

Which works faster to correct pH imbalances, kidneys or respiration? Which has a larger effect?

Answer 8

Respiration
Kidneys

Question 9

Disorders are classified as metabolic or respiratory depending on whether the cause is higher or lower CO2 pressure in the blood (_____________) or other cellular process in the body (______________).

Answer 9

respiratory
metabolic

Question 10

What is normal pH range for people? What is severe acidosis? Severe alkalosis?

Answer 10

7.35-7.45
< 7, > 7.8

Question 11

Symptoms of severe acidosis

Answer 11

the central nervous system is markedly depressed causing coma and imminent death.

Question 12

Symptoms of severe alkalosis

Answer 12

the nervous system is markedly excited causing extreme nervousness, muscle contraction, convulsion, and death due to cessation of breathing.

Question 13

How does the body compensate for respiratory acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 13

Renal compensation

Question 14

How does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis/alkalosis?

Answer 14

respiratory compensation

Question 15

Causes of respiratory acidosis

Answer 15

Anything that makes breathing not work well: cystic fibrosis, emphysema, or pneumonia limit gas exchange

Question 16

Causes of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 16

hyperventilation

Question 17

Metabolic acidosis is caused by

Answer 17

buildup of acidic metabolic products such as acetic acid (from alcohol overdose), lactic acid (byproduct of muscular contraction when exercising), diabetic ketosis, or extreme diarrhea

Question 18

Metabolic alkalosis is caused by

Answer 18

vomiting (loss of acidic stomach contents), intake of excess antacids, and constipation (which caused abnormal reabsorption of HCO3-)

Question 19

Normal Blood Serum Levels:

Normal pH =

Normal PCO2 =

Normal HCO3- =

Answer 19

7.35-7.45
35-45 mm
22-26 mEq/L

Question 20

Answer 20