Medical Biochemistry: Water, Acids, Bases, and Buffers
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Questions and Answers

What is the most critical nutrient for the human body?

Water

What is the pH of pure water?

  • 7 (correct)
  • 9
  • 8
  • 6
  • A solution with a pH less than 7 is considered basic.

    False

    What is the dissociation constant (Ka) of a strong acid?

    <blockquote> <p>1</p> </blockquote> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a property of water?

    <p>Polar molecule</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Henderson-Hasselbach equation relate?

    <p>pH, pKa, and the concentration of acid and its conjugate base.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Acidosis occurs when the blood pH is higher than normal.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal pH of human blood?

    <p>7.4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes a substance that increases the proton concentration in a solution?

    <p>Acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following acids is considered a weak acid?

    <p>Lactic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an increased anion gap indicate in a patient with acidosis?

    <p>Metabolic acidosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The formula to calculate pH is ______.

    <p>pH = -Log[H+]</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Acidosis = Lower than normal blood pH Alkalosis = Higher than normal blood pH Anion Gap = Difference between measured cations and anions Ka = Dissociation constant of an acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Water

    • Critical nutrient, constituting approximately 72% of human body weight; levels vary with age.
    • Majority is intracellular fluid, but also found in extracellular fluid and blood plasma.
    • Functions include nutrient transport, temperature regulation, waste elimination, and joint lubrication.

    Structure and Properties of Water

    • Polarity creates positive and negative ends, facilitating its role as an excellent solvent.
    • Water interacts with ionic compounds like NaCl, forming hydration shells around ions.
    • Dissolves polar organic molecules such as proteins and glucose through interactions with their surface.
    • Water molecules are linked by hydrogen bonds, enhancing cohesion and affecting surface tension.

    Acids, Bases, and Buffers

    • Water dissociates into hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions; in pure water, [H+] = [OH-] = 1 x 10⁻⁷ M.
    • pH calculation involves the negative log of hydrogen ion concentration (pH = -Log[H+]); pure water has a pH of 7 (neutral).
    • Blood pH is approximately 7.4, but can shift due to acidosis or alkalosis.

    Acid and Base Overview

    • Brönsted-Lowry Definition:
      • Acid: Substance that increases [H+] in solution (lowers pH). Example: Ketone bodies in diabetic acidosis.
      • Base: Substance that decreases [H+] (raises pH). Example: Bicarbonate in metabolic alkalosis.

    Strong vs. Weak Acids

    • Strong acids dissociate completely (Ka > 1; pKa < 1), e.g., HCl, H₂SO₄.
    • Weak acids dissociate partially (Ka < 1; pKa > 1), e.g., lactic acid, ketone bodies.
    • Ka is the dissociation constant; pKa = -Log(Ka).

    Henderson-Hasselbach Equation

    • Provides a method to calculate pH of solutions involving weak acids and their conjugate bases: pH = pKa + log([A-]/[HA]).
    • Example with bicarbonate and carbonic acid; pKa for carbonic acid is 6.1.

    Maintaining Blood pH

    • Body produces 13 to 22 moles of acid daily via metabolism, primarily carbonic acid.
    • Mechanisms for pH regulation include:
      • Respiratory system expelling CO₂.
      • Kidneys excreting H⁺ and reabsorbing bicarbonate.
      • Buffers (e.g., bicarbonate buffer system) resist pH changes.

    Primary Acid-Base Disorders

    • Acidosis: Blood pH < 7. Normal types include metabolic and respiratory acidosis.
    • Alkalosis: Blood pH > 7. Normal types include metabolic and respiratory alkalosis.

    Metabolic Acidosis

    • Characterized by decreased bicarbonate in blood due to excess acid production.
    • Compensatory response includes increased respiratory rate to expire CO₂ and restore pH.

    Respiratory Acidosis

    • Results from inadequate CO₂ removal, leading to carbonic acid accumulation and lowered pH.
    • Renal compensation involves increased excretion of H⁺ and reabsorption of bicarbonate.

    Metabolic Alkalosis

    • Elevated blood pH caused by excessive loss of acid or increased bicarbonate.
    • Compensatory mechanism includes hypoventilation, increasing CO₂ levels.

    Respiratory Alkalosis

    • Caused by hyperventilation leading to excessive loss of CO₂.
    • Compensation mechanisms involve reduced renal excretion of H⁺ and HCO₃⁻ reabsorption.

    Anion Gap

    • A calculated difference between cations and anions in serum; useful for diagnosing metabolic disorders.
    • Normal anion gap values range from 10 to 20 mEq/L when potassium is included.
    • High anion gap indicates metabolic acidosis, often linked to conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis.

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    Description

    Dive into the fundamentals of water, acids, bases, and buffers as explored in Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry. This quiz assesses your understanding of these crucial concepts in a clinical context. Prepare to enhance your knowledge in medical biochemistry through targeted questions.

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