Respiration And Acid-base Balance Flashcards
What are the functions of ventilation? (2)
1) oxygenation of the blood, accomplished by brining new air into the alveoli during the inhalation phase
2) Elimination of carbon dioxide from the blood, accomplished by the diffusion of CO2 from the blood into the alveoli and the extrusion of this CO2 by exhalation
What does pH indicate?
-concentration of H+ (hydrogen ion or protons) in a solution and is
PH= -log [H+]
Neutral solution characteristics.
Example?
- H+ concentration is 10^-7 moles/L
- pH= 7.0
- Ex. Water
Acidic Solution Characteristics
-higher H+ concentration and a lower pH
Basic solution characteristics
-lower H+ concentration and a higher pH
PH scale
What is the function of a buffer in the blood (plasma)?
Example?
- helps to stabilize the pH of plasma despite the continuous influx of H+ from molecules of lactic acid, fatty acids, ketone bodies, and other metabolic products
- Ex. Bicarbonate
H+ + HCO3»_space;> H2CO3
If blood pH begins to rise (more basic), what can be a source of new H+?
-carbonic acid
What is respiratory acidosis?
Cause?
- carbonic acid levels rise above normal and pH will fall below 7.35
- caused by hypoventilation (breathing at a abnormally slow rate)
What is respiratory alkalosis?
Cause?
- abnormal decrease in carbonic acid and increase in blood pH
- cause by hyperventilation (rate of breathing above normal)
Blood pH and respiratory conditions
Which enzyme in RBC catalyzes the formation of carbonic acid?
-carbonic anhydrase
Why doesn’t CO2 levels in arterial blood change significantly when exercising?
-the increased rate of CO2 production is matched by an increase in the rate of its elimination through ventilation
What is exercise hyperpnea?
-increased breathing with increased metabolism
What is the normal measurement of arterial carbon dioxide levels?
40 mmHg = pH 7.40
