Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Incompressibility: This ensures that water can be used for support, like the turgor pressure in plants.
Density: Water is most dense at 4°C. Ice (solid water) floats on liquid water due to a 9% decrease in density upon freezing, which insulates ponds and provides habitat for penguins.
High Latent Heat: Water requires a lot of energy to change its state, making it a stable environment for organisms due to less evaporation and freezing.
High Specific Heat Capacity: Water requires a lot of energy to change its temperature, making it a stable environment. This also helps in maintaining stable body temperature.
High Surface Tension: Water's surface tension is due to cohesion (attraction between water molecules) and adhesion (attraction between water and other surfaces). This tension is responsible for things like water droplets formation.
Amphoteric: Water can act as both an acid and a base, donating or accepting protons.

Acids: Release H+ ions in solution. Strong acids ionize completely, while weak acids only partially ionize.
Bases (Alkalines): Release OH- ions in solution or accept protons. Strong bases ionize completely, while weak bases only partially ionize.
Amphoteric Substances: Act as both acids and bases, like water and amino acids.

Blood pH: 7.1 - 7.4 (any changes can be fatal)
Urine pH: 6.8 (slightly acidic) Changes in pH can lead to the precipitation of salts and the formation of urinary stones.
Gastric Juice pH: 1.5 - 2 (highly acidic) Increased acidity can lead to peptic ulcers, and decreased acidity can lead to hypoacidity.
General: All reactions in living protoplasm occur in buffered media. Any pH abnormality can lead to illness and potentially fatal conditions.

Bicarbonate Buffer (H2CO3, NaHCO3): Most important buffer in the blood. It helps regulate pH by releasing or absorbing H+ ions.
Phosphate Buffer (NaH2PO4, Na2HPO4): Main buffer of the urinary system.
Hemoglobin Buffer: This buffer controls sudden additions of acid or base.
Proteins and Amino Acids: Act as important buffers in blood and tissues.

Body uses three mechanisms:
- Buffering agents
- Respiratory system
- Renal system
Acidosis: Arterial pH below 7.35.
Alkalosis: Arterial pH above 7.45

Primary Respiratory Acidosis: Occurs when PCO2 is above 45 mmHg. Causes include acute and chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
Primary Metabolic Acidosis: Occurs when bicarbonate levels are below 22 mEq/liter. Causes include diarrhea, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, lactic acidosis, keto-acidosis, and aspirin poisoning.

Primary Respiratory Alkalosis: Occurs when PCO2 is below 35 mmHg. Causes include hyperventilation, fever, and high altitudes.
** Primary Metabolic Alkalosis:** Occurs when bicarbonate levels are above 29 mEq/liter. Causes include loss of gastric HCl, administration of diuretics.