buffer of the body

• Buffer


  Anything within a solution that can resist drastic changes in pH
• pH


  The concentration of hydrogen ions
• Blood pH needs to sit between 7.35 and 7.45
• 
  

  As the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, the pH number decreases.


  The pH number increases, the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases.
• Proteins


  • They fold into 3D structures based on the characteristics of their amino acid chains
  • Proper folding is necessary for proteins to function correctly
• If pH goes outside the normal range


  Proteins don't fold properly, so their functions are disrupted
• Acid

  Anything that can donate or release hydrogen ions
• Processes that can produce hydrogen ions

  1. Deamination of amino acids

  2. Beta oxidation of fatty acids

  3. Glycolysis

  4. Krebs cycle
• Buffers are needed to maintain pH homeostasis and transport hydrogen ions safely in the body
• Hydrogen ion production


  1. Hydrogen ions released

  2. NAD+ used in glycolysis and Krebs cycle

  3. Many ways to produce hydrogen ions in the body
• Buffers


  Chemicals within the body that can bind to hydrogen ions
• Bicarbonate (HCO3-)


  Important conjugate base that can bind to hydrogen ions
• Bicarbonate buffer system


  1. Bicarbonate binds to hydrogen ions

  2. Produces carbonic acid (H2CO3)

  3. Carbonic acid splits to form water and carbon dioxide

  4. Carbon dioxide is exhaled
• Bicarbonate buffer system


  • Respiratory system deals with the carbon dioxide/carbonic acid side
  • Renal system can excrete hydrogen ions or reabsorb bicarbonate
• Respiratory issues (e.g. emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

  Difficulty removing carbon dioxide, leading to respiratory acidosis
• Acidosis and alkalosis


  • Imbalances in blood pH
  • Respiratory acidosis/alkalosis vs metabolic acidosis/alkalosis
• • Respiratory system is short-term control of blood pH
  • Renal system is long-term control of blood pH