Acid Base Balance

• What is the primary focus of Dr. Munya's lecture on acid-base homeostasis?

  To understand the necessity of acid-base homeostasis and related concepts
• Why is acid-base homeostasis necessary?

  It is essential for maintaining physiological functions and biochemical processes
• What role do physiological buffers play in acid-base homeostasis?

  They help maintain the pH of body fluids by neutralizing excess acids or bases
• What compensatory mechanisms are used to regulate [H⁺]?

  Respiratory and renal mechanisms help regulate hydrogen ion concentration
• What are the causes of alkalosis and acidosis?

  They can result from metabolic or respiratory disturbances
• What is the normal production of CO₂ from respiration per day?

  Approximately 15,000 mmol/day
• What is the direct production of H⁺ ions per day?

  Approximately 70 mmol/day
• What is the physiological reference range for normal [H⁺] concentration?

  35 to 45 nmol/L, which corresponds to a pH of 7.35 to 7.45
• What happens if the pH of the extracellular fluid (ECF) deviates from the normal range?

  It can lead to severe physiological or biochemical consequences
• What is the pH range for survival in humans?

  Between 6.8 and 7.7
• How does [H⁺] concentration affect the oxygen dissociation curve of hemoglobin?


  Changes in [H⁺] can shift the curve, affecting oxygen delivery
• What is the major buffer system of plasma?

  The bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system
• What is the role of the respiratory system in maintaining acid-base balance?

  It regulates the rate of CO₂ loss through changes in respiration
• What happens when ventilation efficiency decreases?

  It can lead to CO₂ retention and increased [H⁺]
• How do kidneys contribute to acid-base homeostasis?

  They recover and generate bicarbonate and excrete hydrogen ions
• What are the symptoms of acid-base disturbances?

  They include increased neuromuscular excitability and cardiac arrhythmias
• What is the significance of the Law of Mass Action in acid-base disorders?

  It helps in understanding the relationships between concentrations of reactants and products
• What is the characteristic change in [H⁺] and [HCO₃^-] in respiratory acidosis?

  [H⁺] increases and [HCO₃^-] increases
• What is the characteristic change in [H⁺] and [HCO₃^-] in respiratory alkalosis?

  [H⁺] decreases and [HCO₃^-] decreases
• What is the characteristic change in [H⁺] and [HCO₃^-] in metabolic acidosis?

  [H⁺] increases and [HCO₃^-] decreases
• What is the characteristic change in [H⁺] and [HCO₃^-] in metabolic alkalosis?

  [H⁺] decreases and [HCO₃^-] increases
• What are the mechanisms of pH control in the body?

  • Buffer systems (e.g., bicarbonate-carbonic acid)
  • Respiratory control (regulating CO₂ loss)
  • Renal control (recovering and generating bicarbonate)
• What are the consequences of metabolic disturbances or impaired renal or respiratory function on acid-base balance?

  • Disturbances in acid-base balance
  • Potential for severe physiological effects
  • Increased risk of acid-base disorders
• What are the symptoms of increased [H⁺] concentration?

  • Increased neuromuscular excitability
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Twitching, tremors, convulsions, coma, and death
• What are the symptoms of decreased [H⁺] concentration?

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Muscle cramps and tetany
  • Confusion, convulsions, coma, and death