Acid-Base Balance

A comprehensive review of terms related to acid-base balance, measuring pH, and regulatory mechanisms in the body.

Acid-base balance

Regulation of hydrogen ion concentration in body fluids.

pH

Negative logarithm of the number of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Acidosis

Arterial blood pH less than 7.35.

Alkalosis

Arterial blood pH greater than 7.45.

Neutral pH

A pH of 7 indicates neutrality.

Hydrochloric acid

Strong acid with a pH value of around 1.

Acidic solution

Where [H⁺] > [OH⁻].

Basic solution

Where [H⁺] < [OH⁻].

Carbonic acid

Produced by the combination of carbon dioxide and water.

Lactic acid

Produced during anaerobic respiration.

Sulfuric acid

Produced by the oxidation of sulfur-containing amino acids.

Phosphoric acid

Accumulates when phosphoproteins and ribonucleotides are broken down.

Acidic ketone bodies

Produced during uncontrolled diabetes.

Chemical buffers

Rapid-acting agents that prevent changes in pH.

Physiological pH control

Secondary defense mechanism that involves changes in breathing.

Homeostatic mechanism

Comprises buffers, respiration, and kidney excretion.

Buffer

Substances that prevent drastic changes in pH when an acid or base is added.

Bicarbonate pairs

Buffer pairs present in body fluids.

Plasma and protein pairs

Types of buffer pairs found in blood.

Hemoglobin pairs

Buffer pairs that help maintain pH in the bloodstream.

Phosphate buffer pairs

Buffers that occur in intracellular fluid.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Its levels affect the concentration of carbonic acid in blood.

Respiration rate adjustment

Increased or decreased respiration alters blood pH.

pH regulation mechanism

Actions taken by the body to maintain stable pH levels.

Hyperventilation

Increased breathing rate that can lead to alkalosis.

Hypoventilation

Decreased breathing rate that can cause acidosis.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis

Measures pH, CO₂, O₂, and bicarbonate in the blood.

Bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻)

Basic ions that help regulate blood pH.

Carbon dioxide partial pressure (Pco₂)

Measure of CO₂ levels in the blood.

Urinary regulation of pH

Kidneys' role in eliminating H⁺ and reabsorbing sodium.

Distal tubules

Kidney structures involved in secreting hydrogen ions.

Collecting ducts

Kidney passages that reabsorb basic ions.

Ammonium ion

Formed when ammonia combines with hydrogen.

Metabolic acidosis

Condition characterized by excess acid in the blood.

Metabolic alkalosis

Condition arising from improper use of antacids.

Respiratory acidosis

Condition caused by CO₂ retention due to lung issues.

Respiratory alkalosis

Condition resulting from hyperventilation.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

pH scale

Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution from 0 to 14.

Hydrogen ion concentration

The amount of H⁺ ions present in a solution.

Weak acid

An acid that partially dissociates in solution.

Basic salt

Salt formed from the reaction of a weak acid and a strong base.

Acid-base pairs

Pairs of acids and their conjugate bases that help buffer pH.

Acidity

A measure of how acidic a solution is.

Alkalinity

A measure of how basic a solution is.

Homeostatic buffers

Buffers that maintain pH within physiological ranges.

Respiratory compensation

Physiological adjustments made to regulate pH.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney.

Acute acidosis

Rapid decrease in pH due to high acid levels.

Chronic alkalosis

Persistently high pH due to ongoing conditions.

Buffering capacity

The ability of a solution to resist changes in pH.

Respiratory mechs

Refers to the breathing adaptations to maintain pH.

Kidney functions

Include acid-base balance through H⁺ excretion.

Urinary excretion

Process of eliminating waste and excess ions.

Oxygen saturation

Percentage of O₂ carried by hemoglobin in the blood.

Acid-base homeostasis

Maintaining stable pH levels in the body.

Alkalosis triggers

Conditions that cause pH to rise above normal.

Acidosis triggers

Events leading to a drop in blood pH.

Respiratory control

Mechanisms through which respiration adjusts pH.

Carbonic acid dissociation

The breakdown of carbonic acid into CO₂ and water.

Buffer systems

Groups of molecules that work together to stabilize pH.

Acidic environment

Condition where pH is lower than 7.

Basic environment

Condition where pH is higher than 7.

Physiological buffers

Buffers that act within living organisms.

Acid-base disorders

Medical conditions affecting acid-base balance.

Ketoacidosis

Acidosis due to the accumulation of ketone bodies.

Renal adaptation

Kidney adjustments in response to blood pH fluctuations.

Chronic respiratory conditions

Long-term lung issues that affect CO₂ and pH balance.

Antacid use

Medication that neutralizes stomach acid.

Acidosis causes

Different conditions leading to increased acidity.

Alkalosis causes

Conditions leading to excessive alkalinity.

Partial pressure

The pressure exerted by a gas in a mixture.

pH measurement

Technique to determine acidity or alkalinity.

Acid-base titration

Procedure to determine the concentration of an acid or base.

Bicarbonate buffer system

Primary buffering system in the blood.

Intracellular pH regulation

Mechanisms that maintain pH within cells.

Acid-base feedback loops

Regulatory mechanisms that maintain pH stability.

Clinical pH assessment

Evaluating pH in medical diagnostics.