Regulation of Acid-Base Balance Acid-Base Balance Necessary to maintain life Must be within a definite range for cellular function

ion to occur. Acidity of a substance is determined by hydrogen ion concentration.

H+ Circulates in 2 Forms The volatile H+ of carbonic acid is excreted via respiration. The nonvolatile H+ in organic acids such as sulfuric, pyretic, phosphoric and lactic acid is excreted via metabolic system.

Acid Acid= donor of hydrogen ions; increase in hydrogen = increase in acidity Carbonic acid= weak acid derived from a carbon dioxide bad bicarbonate; is capable of buffering strong bases.

Base Base= acceptor of hydrogen ions. Bicarbonate= the most abundant base in body fluids.

Power of Hydrogen (pH) (P-) negative logarithm of the H+ ion in equivalents per liter. Increase in H+ = acidity Decrease in H+ = alkalinity Ph of 7= neutral (h2o) Above 7= alkaline Below 7= acid

PH in Body Fluids Normally slightly alkaline

Normal range is narrow: 7.35 to 7.45 Body fluid pH is maintained at pH 7.4

Regulatory Mechanism for Acid-Base Balance 1. Buffer system reacts immediately. 2. Respiratory system responds in minutes and reaches maximum effectiveness in hours. 3. Renal system takes 2 to 3 days to respond maximally but the kidneys can maintain balance for a long period of time.

1. Buffer System A chemical sponge Found in blood ICF and interstitial fluid. Results change in pH of the fluid by: o Chemically binding excess hydrogen ions to prevent an increase in pH o Releasing hydrogen ions to prevent decrease in pH. Do not neutralize BUT prevents body fluids from becoming strongly acidic or strongly basic or alkaline. 3 buffer system: o Bicarbonate-carbonic buffer - Major buffer in the ECF - Consists of sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate and carbonic acid in the same solution. PaCO2 - Carbonic acid level is measured by PaCO2 value of the blood. - Partial pressure of CO2 in the arterial blood. - Normal value is 35 to 46 mmHg Bicarbonate HCO3 - The most abundant base in body fluids. - Metabolic end product of fats and carbohydrates. - Normal serum levels is 22 to 26 mEq/L o Protein Buffer - Largest buffer system in the body - Proteins-amphoteric - Largely located in ICF - In vascular compartment albumin and plasma globulins are major protein buffers.

Includes globin of hemoglobin in the RBC and histone proteins and nucleic acids inside the cells. o Phosphate Buffer - Control intracellular fluids. - Most active in the ICF especially in the kidneys. - Can accept spare Hydrogen ions. 2. Respiratory system - Elimination of CO2 by the lungs. - Action can be twice as effective as chemical buffers because it can handle twice the amount of acids and bases. - Hyperventilation = an example of a mechanism where in respiratory regulation of acid-base balance is achieved. PaCO2 -carbonic acid level is measured by PaCO2 value of the blood. - partial pressure of CO2 in the arterial blood. Normal value: 35-45mmHg - Blood level of carbonic acid increases thus the respiratory center is stimulated which results in and increase in the rate and depth of the respirations and CO2 is exhaled and carbonic acid level falls. Wala nay no. 3 which is renal system. Diri ra kutob and slides.