Blood Osmolality and Cellular pH Buffering System

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to blood osmolality and cellular pH buffering systems, including buffer systems, osmolality measurements, and related medical conditions.

Buffering System

Chemical buffering systems located within cells and the blood, functioning within seconds to correct imbalances by temporarily binding and releasing H+.

Phosphate Buffering System

Buffers acid to form H2PO4 when H+ level increases, and buffers base to form HPO4 when H+ level decreases.

Protein Buffers

NH2 groups buffer addition of acid (H+) to form NH3, while COOH groups buffer addition of base (OH) to form COO-.

Bicarbonate Buffer System

Buffers the addition of acid (H+) to form H2CO3, and buffers the addition of base (OH) to form HCO3.

Osmolality

The measure of solute concentration in a solution, defined as the total number of osmoles of solute per liter of solution.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with a solute concentration equal to that inside the cell, resulting in no net water movement.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a low solute concentration, causing cells to swell and possibly lyse.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a high solute concentration, leading to cell shrinkage (crenation) as water moves out of the cell.

Iso-osmotic vs Isotonic

A solution may be iso-osmotic but not isotonic if the solute can freely penetrate the membrane.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates water retention in kidneys, increased secretion when osmolality rises, and decreased secretion when osmolality falls.

Hyponatremia

A condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, often resulting in nausea, headache, confusion, and severe symptoms.

Urine Osmolality Test

A test to determine kidney function and diagnose causes of osmolality problems by measuring the concentration of solutes in urine.

Grand Mal Seizures

Seizures that can occur with increased osmolality, potentially resulting fatal.