6.acid Base Balance
6.acid Base Balance
6.acid Base Balance
BALANCE
Dr Wairimu Mwaura
OBJECTIVES
• Define pH, acid and alkali
• Buffer system
• Role of the respiratory system in acid base balance
• Respiratory acidosis
• Respiratory alkalosis
• Metabolic acidosis
• Metabolic alkalosis
DEFINITIONS
• Acid :molecule that can donate a H+ ion
• Example :H2CO3 H+ + HCO3
• Strong acid: completely dissociates into separate ions, pH is closer to 1
• HCL→H+ +Cl-
• Weak acid releases H+ into a solution but does not completely
dissociate into separate ions, pH is closer to 7
• H2CO3 H+ + HCO3
DEFINITIONS
• Base :molecule that can accept a H+ ion
• Example: H+ + HCO3- H2CO3
• Strong base completely dissociates into its separate ions, pH
closer to 14
• NaOH ⇄Na+ + OH-
• Weak base: NH3++H+=NH4+ , pH closer to 7
DEFINITIONS
• CO2+H20⇄H2CO3 ⇄HCO3-+H+
• Depends on the equilibrium that is quickly established
between H2CO3 and HCO3-+H+
• When H+ are added to a solution- a large proportion of the H+
binds to HCO3- to form H2CO3
• When H+ is removed from a solution H2CO3 dissociates to form
HCO3-&H+
CARBONIC ACID/HCO3 SYSTEM
• Plays an important role in regulating extracellular pH
• It quickly responds to:
i. The addition of CO2/lactate produced by increased metabolism
during exercise
ii. Increased fatty acid and ketone body production during periods of
elevated lipid metabolism
iii. Addition of basic substances e.g. large amounts off NaHCO3
consumed as an antacid
PROTEIN BUFFER SYSTEM
• Components of the protein buffer system are:
i. Plasma proteins and intracellular proteins
ii. Haemoglobin
• Proteins function as effective buffers due to their free carboxyl
(COOH) and amino (NH3+) groups which can act as weak acids or
bases
RCOOH ⇄RCOO-+ H+
RNH3+⇄ RNH2+H+
PROTEIN BUFFER SYSTEM
HAEMOGLOBIN BUFFER SYSTEM
• Imidazole groups of histidine residues on Hb act as a buffer
• CO2 diffuses across the RBC membrane combines with H2O to form
H2CO3
• Carbonic acid dissociates : HCO3- diffuse into plasma
• H+ are buffered by Hb molecules
• DeoxyHb is a better buffer than oxyHb
• Hb buffer system prevents major changes in pH when plasma PCO2 levels
are rising or falling
HAEMOGLOBIN BUFFER SYSTEM
PHOSPHATE BUFFER SYSTEM
• Important intracellular buffer
• Phosphate containing molecules (ATP, DNA,RNA, phosphate
ions) act as buffers
H+ + HPO4-2 ⇄H2PO4⇄ H++HPO4-
• When the pH decreases : HPO4- binds H+ to form H2PO4-
• Increase in pH H2PO4- releases H+ into solution
2. RESPIRATORY REGULATION OF ACID
BASE BALANCE
• The respiratory system regulates acid base balance
by eliminating or retaining CO2
• pH is regulated by altering the rate and depth of
respiration
• Changes in pH are rapid- occur within a few minutes
• Normal arterial CO2 levels=35-45 mmHg
2.RESPIRATORY REGULATION OF ACID
BASE BALANCE
• Hyperventilation – breathing faster & deeper
eliminates more CO2 leading to an increase in pH
• Hypoventilation- slow and shallow breathing leads
to accumulation of CO2 causing a decrease in pH
3.RENAL REGULATION OF ACID BASE
BALANCE
• Kidneys make long term adjustment to pH
• Slower to respond- may take hours/days/ weeks
• Maintain acid base balance by excreting or
conserving bicarbonate and hydrogen ions
• Normal bicarbonate level in blood is 22-26 meq/L
ACIDOSIS AND ALKALOSIS