Physiologic pH and Buffering Systems

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of physiologic pH, logarithmic relationships of hydrogen ions, and the primary extracellular and intracellular buffering systems.

What is the mathematical equation used to describe pH based on the concentration of hydrogen ions?

$$pH = -\log_{10}([H^+])$$

At what specific temperature do cells and enzymes in the body work best?

37. degrees

According to the transcript, what are the terms for when the body's pH drops below 7.4 and when it rises above 7.4?

When pH drops below 7.4 it is considered acidemia, and when it goes above 7.4 it is considered alkalemia

Maintaining a pH between which two specific values is essential for the human body?

Between about $7.37$ and $7.42$

What is the most important buffer in the body composed of?

The weak acid carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$) and its conjugate base bicarbonate ion ($HCO_3^-$)

Which enzyme facilitates the reaction where carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid?

Carbonic anhydrase

What two chemical species constitute the phosphate buffer system?

Dihydrogen phosphate ($H_2PO_4^-$) and monohydrogen phosphate ($HPO_4^{2-}$)

Which specific protein in the plasma serves as an extremely important extracellular buffer system?

Albumin

What is the name of the process where bicarbonate moves into the plasma in exchange for chloride ions to keep charges balanced?

The chloride shift

intracellular fluid contains what source?

Adenosine triphosphate ($ATP$) and glucose 6-phosphate