Acids & Bases Term Test Review PDF

Acids & Bases Term Test Review The pH Scale pH is a measure of acidity/alkalinity — how acidic or basic a solution is the optimal plasma pH is 7.35-7.45 Acids & bases are both electrolytes, they interact w/ each other to form salts...

Acids & Bases Term Test Review The pH Scale pH is a measure of acidity/alkalinity — how acidic or basic a solution is the optimal plasma pH is 7.35-7.45 Acids & bases are both electrolytes, they interact w/ each other to form salts Acids: substances that dissociate in a solution to form hydrogen ions (proton donator) Bases: substances that binds H+ ions (a proton acceptor), usually forms in water Strong vs. Weak Acids & Bases Strong Acids: dissociates to form hydrogen ions & an anion, spends more time dissociated than associated Ex. HCl ↔ H+ & Cl- Weak Acids: dissociates to form hydrogen ions & an anion, spends more time associated than dissociated Ex. H2CO3 ↔ H+ & HCO3- Strong Bases: dissociates to form hydroxide ions & a cation, spends more time dissociated than associated Weak Bases: dissociates to form hydroxide ions & a cation, spends more time associated than dissociated Ex. Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) Volatile & Non-Volatile Acids Volatile Acid: a type of acid that can vaporize, & easily convert/dissociate back and forth Carbonic Acid: the most common weak, volatile acid in the body Acids & Bases Term Test Review 1  Can easily convert back into CO2 & H2O, due to volatile properties, but tends to stay associated due to its weak acid properties (can dissociate to H+ & HCO3-) eliminated via lungs as CO2 Non-Volatile Acid: a type of acid formed from metabolic reactions in the body Ex. Lactic acid, formed during anaerobic metabolism Regulation of Acid-Base Balance Homeostasis of H+ concentration is essential for normal cellular function Includes 3 main mechanisms to regulate pH: Buffers, the Respiratory System, & the Kidneys Buffers & Buffer Systems Buffers: chemical compounds that work immediately to convert strong acids/bases to weak acids/bases, by soaking up excess H+ ions, or adding H+ ions if pH is too basic Ex. Bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) Buffer Systems: a group of buffers functioning together to convert strong acids/bases → weak acids/bases, prevents the drastic change of pH Found in body fluids Strong acids/bases ionize easily and therefore drastically change pH Weak acids tend to remain associated and therefore doesn’t effect pH much Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate Buffer System Most important buffer system in the body, can work in both the ECF & ICF Can be regulated by the 2 mechanisms that regulate pH: Lungs & kidneys Neutralizes strong acids with the use of bicarbonate ions, produces carbonic acid (a weak, volatile acid) Acids & Bases Term Test Review 2  Generates the ability to get rid of carbonic acid through respiration (carbonic acid can easily convert back into CO2 & H2O, which is what gets breathed out) In this system, a ratio of 1 carbonic acid to 20 bicarbonate acids are needed to maintain an optimal pH of 7.40 The Respiratory System works within seconds → minutes CO2 is formed in the body as a waste product of cellular respiration (specifically, the Krebs Cycle) changing rate & depth of breathing has a significant impact on blood pH more breathing = less CO2 & more bicarbonate which makes pH more basic less breathing = more CO2 which binds to water, making carbonic acid (leads to a more acidic pH) The Kidneys works within minutes → hours used to regulate non-volatile acids formed from metabolic reactions metabolic reactions produce non-volatile acids at the rate of 1mEq/L of H+ per day per body weight must be excreted through urine kidneys can also regulate bicarbonate levels by either synthesizing new bicarbonate ions, or reabsorbing/retaining filtered bicarbonate ions Acid-Base Measurements pH: measures how acidic or basic a solution is Optimal: 7.35-7.45 pCO2: measures the concentration of CO2 in plasma Acids & Bases Term Test Review 3  Optimal: 35-45mmHg (”mmHg” is the measure of the pressure of a gas) HCO3-: measures the amount of bicarbonate ions in plasma Optimal 22-26mEq/L Acid-Base Imbalances Acidosis: refers to pH being too acidic due to an increased H+ concentration the accumulation of acid or the loss of base in the blood causes the depression of the CNS coma, death Respiratory Acidosis: caused by decreased ventilation, leading to accumulated CO2 binding w/ H2O molecules to create more & more carbonic acid (more acidic) treated by IV bicarbonate or ventilation therapy Metabolic Acidosis: caused by a decrease in bicarbonate ions, leading to less H+ ions being soaked up (not enough base to balance) treated by IV sodium bicarbonate or correcting the overall cause Alkalosis: refers to pH being too basic due to a decreased H+ concentration the accumulation of base or the loss of acid in the blood causes the excitement of the CNS spasms, tetanus, convulsions, death Respiratory Alkalosis: caused by increased ventilation (hyperventilation), leading to low CO2 in the body & too many H+ ions being used. Not enough CO2 binding w/ H2O molecules to create more H+ ions & acids, more base accumulates treated by breathing into paper bag to trap CO2 & prevent too much loss Metabolic Alkalosis: caused by to much bicarbonate ions in the body, soaking up too many H+ ions. Not enough acids floating around, making body too basic Acids & Bases Term Test Review 4  treated by fluid/electrolyte therapy or correcting the overall cause Acids & Bases Term Test Review 5