Acid-Base Balance and Imbalance Flashcards

Educational flashcards covering the definitions, causes, and compensatory mechanisms of acid-base imbalances as described in the lecture notes.

Blood pH Homeostasis

The maintenance of blood pH within the narrow range of $7.35$ to $7.45$ to ensure optimal enzyme function during physiological reactions.

Acidosis

A state of homeostatic imbalance where the blood pH falls below $7.35$.

Alkalosis

A state of homeostatic imbalance where the blood pH rises above $7.45$.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by hypoventilation, which increases blood $CO_2$ levels and increases $[H^+]$.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by hyperventilation, which decreases blood $CO_2$ levels and decreases $[H^+]$.

Metabolic Acidosis

An imbalance characterized by a blood pH below $7.35$ due to the addition of metabolic acids or the loss of $HCO_3^-$ from the blood.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An imbalance characterized by a blood pH above $7.45$ due to the loss of metabolic acids or the addition of $HCO_3^-$ to the blood.

Hypoventilation

A respiratory state where the rate of alveolar ventilation falls behind $CO_2$ production, causing $CO_2$ to be retained in the blood.

Hyperventilation

A respiratory state where $CO_2$ is eliminated from the body faster than it is produced.

Carbon Dioxide Acid Equation

The chemical equilibrium represented by $CO_2 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons H_2CO_3 \rightleftharpoons HCO_3^- + H^+$.

Free $H^+$

The specific ion that dictates blood pH levels.

Type A intercalated cells

Kidney cells activated during acidosis to increase $H^+$ excretion and increase $HCO_3^-$ reabsorption.

Type B intercalated cells

Kidney cells activated during alkalosis to increase $HCO_3^-$ excretion and increase $H^+$ reabsorption.

Lactic Acid

An organic acid produced in the blood during strenuous exercise via anaerobic catabolism of glucose.

Ketone bodies

Metabolic acids produced during starvation or diabetes mellitus, including acetoacetic acid, beta hydroxybutyric acid, and acetone.

Severe Diarrhea

A condition leading to metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) from the small intestine.

Chronic Vomiting (Hyperemesis)

A condition leading to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) from the stomach.

Antacids

Alkaline products such as baking soda that, when overused, neutralize stomach acid and cause $H^+$ to shift from blood into the stomach.

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)

An enzyme in hepatocytes that metabolizes alcohol into acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde

A substance produced from alcohol metabolism that is further converted to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Salicylate poisoning

Toxicity resulting from an overdose of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) that presents as metabolic acidosis.

Hormone-sensitive lipase

An enzyme normally inhibited by insulin that up-regulates lipolysis to release free fatty acids when insulin levels fall.

Hyperventilation Compensation

The initial/immediate respiratory response to metabolic acidosis aimed at decreasing blood $CO_2$ and $H^+$ levels.

Hypoventilation Compensation

The initial/immediate respiratory response to metabolic alkalosis aimed at increasing blood $CO_2$ and $H^+$ levels.

Renal Dysfunction

A cause of metabolic acidosis characterized by the failure of the kidneys to secrete $H^+$.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid)

A medication used as an antiplatelet, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic agent consumed at rates exceeding $10,000$ tons per year in the US.

Panic Attack

An emotional state that can lead to respiratory alkalosis through hyperventilation.

High Altitude

An environmental factor that may cause respiratory alkalosis as the body hyperventilates to compensate for lower $PO_2$ levels.

Lipolysis

The process up-regulated during starvation or untreated diabetes that causes the release of free fatty acids from adipose tissue.

Blood $PCO_2$

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood; increases in this value lead to respiratory acidosis.