Acid-Base balance

• What are the terms related to acid-base balance?

  Acid, base, pH, buffer

  
• What is acidosis in the context of acid-base balance?

  An abnormal process lowering arterial pH

  
• What is alkalosis in the context of acid-base balance?

  An abnormal process raising arterial pH

  
• What are the homeostatic mechanisms that maintain acid-base balance?

  • Buffer systems
  • Respiratory compensation
  • Renal compensation

  
• What does an acid do in solution?

  Releases H+ ion
• What does a base do in solution?

  Accepts a H+ ion
• What is pH?

  Scale measuring H+ ion concentration

  
• What does the formula for pH represent?

  Negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration

  
• What does the letter 'p' in pH stand for?

  Power of hydrogen
• How do changes in pH relate to changes in [H+]?

  Small pH changes mean large [H+] changes

  
• What does a high pH indicate about H+ concentration?

  Low H+ concentration

  
• What is the normal pH range for arterial blood?

  7.35 – 7.45

  
• What does a low pH indicate about H+ concentration?

  High H+ concentration

  
• What is an acid defined as?

  Substance releasing H+ ions in solution

  
• What is ammonia classified as?

  Base produced by amino acid breakdown
• What is the result of cellular respiration?

  CO2 and H2O produce carbonic acid

  
• What is lactic acid a product of?

  Anaerobic respiration
• What happens if pH is not maintained?

  Interference with protein functional groups
• What are the types of acid-base disorders?

  • Acidosis
  • Alkalosis
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Respiratory disorders

  
• What is acidaemia?

  Blood pH is too low

  
• What is alkalaemia?

  Blood pH is too high

  
• What are the four types of primary acid-base disorders?

  • Metabolic Acidosis
  • Metabolic Alkalosis
  • Respiratory Acidosis
  • Respiratory Alkalosis
• What are simple acid-base disorders?

  Single primary acid-base disorder present
• What are mixed acid-base disorders?

  Two or more primary disorders present
• What is hypoventilation?

  Inadequate ventilation
• What does high PCO2 indicate?

  Hypoventilation
• What does low PCO2 indicate?

  Hyperventilation
• What happens if CO2 builds up in the body?

  Leads to H+ buildup
• What can cause alveolar hypoventilation?

  Depression of respiratory control
• What is hyperventilation syndrome?

  Excessive ventilation
• What is the normal range for PCO2?

  4.7 – 6.0 kPa
• What is lactic acidosis?

  Inadequate O2 supply for aerobic metabolism
• What are some causes of metabolic acidosis?

  Loss of bicarbonate ions, lactic acid
• What causes metabolic alkalosis?

  Loss of gastric secretions
• What are the homeostatic mechanisms for pH stabilization?

  1. Buffer systems
  2. Respiratory system
  3. Renal system

  
• What is a buffer?

  A solution that resists pH changes
• What is the general formula for a dissociation reaction?

  AB ⇌ A + B
• What distinguishes a strong acid from a weak acid?

  Strong acids completely dissociate
• What is the bicarbonate buffer system's role?

  Regulates pH by balancing CO2 and HCO3-

  
• What happens when CO2 increases in the bicarbonate buffer system?

  More H+ ions are produced