Renal - Regulation of Acid-Base Balance - Quiz 4 Flashcards
Acid-base physiology is all about ____
H+ ion concentrations
Normal ECF H+ concentration
40 nEq/L
Equation for a weak acid
HA [H+] + [A-]
Equation to determine dissociation constant (k)
K = [H+] [A-] / HA
Based on the Henderson Hasselbalch equation, we know the the pH of a solution is related to:
The ratio of the dissociated anion to the undissociated acid
How do solutions of weak acids or bases act as buffers?
They minimize pH changes by donating or accepting electrons (back and forth)
How should pH be in relation to pKa for the most efficient buffer?
pH = pKa
Name 5 buffers in the body. What is the #1 buffer?
- Bicarb (H2CO3 / HCO3) - #1
- Hemoglobin
- Intracellular proteins
- Phosphate (H2PO4- / HPO4–)
- Ammonia (NH3 / NH4)
Hydration of CO2 is catalyses by ______ in the ______
Carbonic anhydrase
Proximal tubule
Is the bicarb buffer effective against resp acid-base disturbances?
No.
It is only effective against metabolic acid-base disturbances.
What is the pKa of bicarb? How does that compare to plasma pH?
6.1
It is rather far from plasma pH of 7.4
What makes bicarb a good buffer?
- it is present in high concentrations in the ECF
2. PaCO2 and HCO3 are closely regulated by the lungs and kidneys
What type of medication is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor?
A diuretic
Does a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor cause excretion or reabsorption of bicarb?
Excretion
When CA is inhibited, HCO3 can’t get back into the bloodstream from the tubular fluid
What percentage of filtered bicarb is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule?
80-90%
Where is 10-20% of the bicarb reabsorbed?
Distal tubule
What component of the distal tubule allows the formation of a steep gradient for acidifying urine?
H+ pump
it can dump H+ ions into the urine
Which cells in the collecting duct allow the reabsorption and secretion of bicarb?
Intercalated cells
Which buffer traps H+ ions in the urine so that it cannot be reabsorbed?
HPO4– (when combined w H becomes H2PO4-)
What is the pK of phosphate?
6.8
Is the phosphate buffer more effective in acidic or alkaline urine?
acidic
How does the phosphate buffer affect bicarb levels?
It causes bicarb to be generated and enables the kidneys to replenish extracellular bicarb
Where is ammonium (NH4) an important buffer?
tubular fluid
Where is Ammonium found in the nephron?
proximal tubule
thick loop
distal tubule
From what is ammonium synthesized and what is generated in the process of ammonium synthesis?
Glutamine
Bicarb