Water_Acid Base Flashcards
Explain the importance of water to the function of the body.
Water helps to regulate the bodys:
- fluid balance - fluids are constantly lost and must be replaced
- electrolyte balance - our body must maintain our electrolyte levels within a narrow range
- acid-base (pH) balance - our body is very sensitive to its pH level When water is in short supply, the body will ration water to each organ with the brain getting the most water and the skin getting the least.
Describe the water compartments and the name for the water in each.
Intracellular water compartment
- holds 60% of the bodys water
- found in the cytoplasm of all cells
- known as ICW Extracellular water compartment
- holds 40% of the bodys water
- water not found in cells
- known as ECW
- found between the body cells, interstitial water
- found inside blood vessels, intravascular water
How does water move between compartments?
Water is forced through the capillaries into the interstitial space by blood pressure through filtration. Water moves from the interstitial space to the intracellular space through osmosis. Water is also returned to the vascular space by the lymphatic system.
Discuss isotonic.
Isotonic is a solution with the same salt concentration as in cells, 0.9%. When RBC(0.9% salt) are in plasma(0.9% salt), water moves into and out of them at equal rates. Cells remain normal.
Discuss hypotonic.
Hypotonic solutions have a lower salt concentration that in cells. If RBCs(0.9%) are placed in a hypotonic solution, water will enter the cells attempting to dilute the cells salt content. Eventually, the cells will burst.
Discuss hypertonic.
Hypertonic solution has a higher salt concentration than cells(0.9%). If RBCs(0.9%) are placed in a hypertonic solution, water from the cells will leave to dilute the solution. The cells will shrivel and die.
Explain how water is taken in the body.
Osmoreceptors detect deficiencies in the extracellular fluid and trigger thirst.
Explain how water exits the body.
Water is lost through persperation, as water vapor in expiration, urine, and feces.
Explain pH.
The balance of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. When the solvent is water, the scale starts at 0 and ends at 14 with water having a pH of 7. pH is a measurement of the concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution. Low pH, less than 7, has a high concentration of hydrogen ions. High pH, greater than 7, has a low concentration of hydrogen ions.
Explain the difference between an acid and a base.
Acids have a pH less than 7 and bases have a pH more than 7.
State the normal pH ranges in body fluids.
Normal ranges from 7.35 to 7.45.
What is acidosis?
When the pH of the body fluid falls below 7.35.
What is alkalosis?
When the pH of the body fluid rises above 7.45.
How does the buffer system maintain pH?
It acts immediately by capturing(low pH) or releasing(high pH) hydrogen ions. They still must be released from the body.
How does the respiratory system maintain pH?
As the buffer system temporarily stabilizes the hydrogen ion levels, the respiratory systems activates. If the pH is low, the respiratory rate increases. By ridding carbon dioxide, a series of chemical reactions convert the excess hydrogen to water, which raised the pH. If the pH is high, the respiratory rate decreases. Conserves a greater quantity of carbon dioxide releasing hydrogen ions and lowers the pH.
