Podcast
Questions and Answers
What pH range is considered slightly alkaline for blood?
What pH range is considered slightly alkaline for blood?
What is the primary secreted product when carbon dioxide enters red blood cells?
What is the primary secreted product when carbon dioxide enters red blood cells?
How does an increase in carbon dioxide concentration affect the pH of body fluids?
How does an increase in carbon dioxide concentration affect the pH of body fluids?
Which of the following ions is produced when carbonic acid dissociates?
Which of the following ions is produced when carbonic acid dissociates?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does carbonic anhydrase play in the blood?
What role does carbonic anhydrase play in the blood?
Signup and view all the answers
According to LeChatelier’s Principle, how does the production of more carbon dioxide affect the reaction involving carbonic acid?
According to LeChatelier’s Principle, how does the production of more carbon dioxide affect the reaction involving carbonic acid?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a defining characteristic of a weak acid like carbonic acid in terms of pH regulation?
What is a defining characteristic of a weak acid like carbonic acid in terms of pH regulation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the pH level that is designated as neutral?
What is the pH level that is designated as neutral?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the conjugate base of carbonic acid?
What is the conjugate base of carbonic acid?
Signup and view all the answers
Which reaction occurs in an acidic solution with ammonia?
Which reaction occurs in an acidic solution with ammonia?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the carbonic acid buffer system when there is an increase in H+ ions?
What happens to the carbonic acid buffer system when there is an increase in H+ ions?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the primary roles of ammonium in the kidneys?
What is one of the primary roles of ammonium in the kidneys?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following correctly describes the three main mechanisms for regulating body pH?
Which of the following correctly describes the three main mechanisms for regulating body pH?
Signup and view all the answers
How is CO2 transported from peripheral tissues to the lungs?
How is CO2 transported from peripheral tissues to the lungs?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the enzyme that combines CO2 and H2O in the lungs?
What is the role of the enzyme that combines CO2 and H2O in the lungs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about the carbonic acid buffer system is true?
Which statement about the carbonic acid buffer system is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do chemoreceptors play in regulating ventilation rate?
What role do chemoreceptors play in regulating ventilation rate?
Signup and view all the answers
When pCO2 in the blood is elevated, what is the immediate physiological response?
When pCO2 in the blood is elevated, what is the immediate physiological response?
Signup and view all the answers
Which process in the kidneys assists with acid-base balance?
Which process in the kidneys assists with acid-base balance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the K+/H+ active antiporter in the kidneys?
What is the role of the K+/H+ active antiporter in the kidneys?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes what happens when lactic acid accumulates in the blood during intense exercise?
Which statement accurately describes what happens when lactic acid accumulates in the blood during intense exercise?
Signup and view all the answers
How do bicarbonate ions function in blood pH buffering?
How do bicarbonate ions function in blood pH buffering?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the body fluid pH is acidic regarding potassium ions?
What happens when the body fluid pH is acidic regarding potassium ions?
Signup and view all the answers
What cellular mechanisms help move ions in response to acid-base balance?
What cellular mechanisms help move ions in response to acid-base balance?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Acid-Base Balance in Body Fluids
- Body fluids maintain a pH range of 7.35-7.45, slightly alkaline, crucial for bodily functions.
- pH is a measure of H+ ion concentration. Lower pH indicates acidity, higher pH indicates alkalinity.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor to body fluid pH.
- Aerobic metabolism produces CO2, which diffuses into red blood cells.
- Carbonic anhydrase enzyme in RBCs catalyzes CO2's conversion to carbonic acid (H2CO3).
- Carbonic acid dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3⁻).
- Increased CO2 leads to increased H+ concentration, making the solution more acidic.
- Decreased CO2 leads to decreased H+ concentration, making the solution less acidic.
Homeostasis Mechanisms
- Body fluids' pH is regulated by three mechanisms:
- Chemical buffering (e.g., carbonic acid/bicarbonate system).
- Respiratory regulation.
- Urinary regulation.
- Chemical Buffers: Resist changes in pH when strong acids or bases are introduced. The carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer system is a crucial example.
- Respiratory Regulation: CO2 is exhaled from the lungs. Increased CO2 leads to increased acidity, triggering faster breathing to remove CO2. Conversely, decreased CO2 leads to slower breathing and decreased acidity.
- Urinary Regulation (kidneys): Kidneys actively excrete or reabsorb H+ and bicarbonate ions to maintain the proper pH balance. Potassium/Hydrogen antiporters play a key role in this mechanism, exchanging potassium ions for hydrogen ions to maintain acid-base equilibrium. This process takes longer than respiratory regulation, typically days.
Buffer System
- Weak acids and bases in pairs, like carbonic acid/bicarbonate, help maintain a stable pH.
- If a strong acid is added, the weak base (bicarbonate) combines with the added H+ ions to form carbonic acid, reducing the overall effect of the added acid.
- If a strong base is added, the weak acid (carbonic acid) donates H+ ions to neutralize the base, keeping pH relatively stable.
Importance of pH Regulation
- Maintaining correct pH is essential for proper functioning of proteins and enzymes within the body, including those in blood cells and cell membranes.
- Any drastic deviation from normal blood pH can have negative consequences, causing harm to the body.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers the concepts of acid-base balance in body fluids, focusing on the importance of pH levels and the role of carbon dioxide in regulating acidity. It also explores the mechanisms of homeostasis that maintain the pH through chemical buffering, respiratory, and urinary regulation. Test your understanding of these critical physiological processes.
