Systems/Values

Blood pH

7.35 - 7.45

Lung PCO2

35 - 45 mmHg

Kidney HCO3-

23 - 30 mEq/L

Arteriole Blood Gas Test

Clinical test that measures how well your lungs are exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide to assess acid-base balance

mEq/L

Milliequivalent’s per liter, expresses concentration of ions

Phosphate Buffer System

Buffer that uses HPO4^2- to absorb excess H+ when too acidic and H2PO4- to release H+ when too basic

HPO4^2-

Monohydrogen-phosphate, used in phosphate buffer system to raise pH

H₂PO4-

Dihydrogen phosphate, used in phosphate buffer system to lower pH

Protein Buffer System 

Most abundant buffer system, uses hemoglobin to bind to H+ when too acidic, releases O2

Bicarbonate Buffer System

Primary extracellular buffer that uses bicarbonate to absorb H+ when too acidic and carbonic acid to release H+ when too basic

HCO3-

Bicarbonate, used to raise pH by binding with H+

H2CO3

Carbonate, used to lower pH by releasing H+

Volatile Acid

An acid that can easily be converted into a gas and exhaled by the lungs, diffuses easily

CO2

Volatile acid that dissolves into plasma to increase acidity

Acidosis

When pH is < 7.35, causes decreased excitability of neurons and muscles

Alkalosis

When pH is > 7.45, causes increased excitability of neurons and muscles

Compensation

System used when buffers do not fix pH imbalance