Acid Base Balance

Question 1

What Does Acid Base Balance Mean

Answer 1

Homeostasis of hydrogen ion concentration in the fluids throughout the body

Question 2

What is the hydrogen ion concentration determined by?

Answer 2

The ratio of carbonic acid to bicarbonate in the extracellular fluid

Question 3

Where is the most water be found in our body?

Answer 3

Intracellular Fluid Compartment (ICF) which is inside the trillions of cells in our body. About 2/3 of all body water is found in the ICF.

Question 4

What are the 3 primary ways to control pH?

Answer 4

Chemical buffers, respiration, and kidneys (when respiration isn’t enough).

Question 5

What are the 3 chemical buffer systems in the body?

Answer 5

Protein, Phosphate, and Carbonic Acid/Bicarbonate buffer system.

Question 6

Why does pH matter and what is the main element does it affect the most?

Answer 6

The proteins in our body (enzymes and hemoglobin included) are very sensitive to pH changes. A very small change can leave them non-functional. Our body needs to maintain homeostasis.

Question 7

Why is venous blood more acidic than arterial blood?

Answer 7

As the veins carry blood back towards the heart, it contains more acidic gas CO2.

Question 8

What is one important base in the body and where is the majority found?

Answer 8

Bicarbonate (HCO3) which has a huge supply found in the intestine. it is produced by the pancreas to neutralize stomach acid.

Question 9

What are some important sources of acids in the body?

Answer 9

HCl (stomach acid), cellular metabolism, CO2 in plasma- generates H+, skeletal muscle (lactic acid- anaerobic respiration), and fat breakdown (glycogen is broken down into glucose and produces acidic ketones).

Question 10

Why does an increase in breathing rate and depth increases pH?

Answer 10

It is because more CO2 is expelled from the body. This is referred to as hypocapnia wherein the level of CO2 in the body is low and it will avoid acidosis.

Question 11

Why does a decrease in breathing rate and depth decrease pH?

Answer 11

It is because more CO2 is retained. This is called hypercapnia which means there is too much CO2 in the body and can cause acidosis.

Question 12

Where are receptors located which can detect rising CO2 levels and/or rising H+ concentrations?

Answer 12

Medulla oblongata (center of respiratory measures)

Question 13

How can the renal response to pH changes help?

Answer 13

If too acidic, the distal convoluted tubule in the nephron can secrete H+ and reabsorb bicarb while if too basic, it can secrete bicarb into the urine.

Question 14

What happens during respiratory acidosis?

Answer 14

There is an increase in CO2 and an increase in H+.

Question 15

What are some respiratory acidosis conditions?

Answer 15

Emphysema, lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia, and hypoventilation.

Question 16

What happens during respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 16

There is a decrease in CO2 due to hyperventilation. A decrease in H+ can be treated by bag breathing to re-breath CO2.

Question 17

What are the metabolic acidosis symptoms?

Answer 17

Severe diarrhea wherein acid is in intestinal gastric juice and so you lose too much bicarbonate through stool. Another is the kidneys fail to get rid of acid.

Question 18

What are metabolic alkalosis symptoms and what drugs causes this?

Answer 18

Chronic vomiting causes this because of losing HCl makes blood basic. Symptoms of metabolic alkalosis are constipation which is reabsorbing excessive bicarb. Diuretics which increases urine and antacids (Alka Seltzer) are the drugs that causes this.

Question 19

What are the normal Acid-Base values?

Answer 19

pH: 7.35-7.45, PaCO2: 35-45 mm Hg, HCO3: 22 – 26 m Eq/L, and Glucose: 80-120mg/dl.