Acid-Base Balance

Gian Carlo Delante, PhB PTRP RPT

Acids & Bases

Acid
Any molecule that will release
hydrogen ions (H+) when put in a
solution
Hydrochloric acid: HCl

Base
Any molecule that will accept a
hydrogen ion (H+) when put in a
solution
Bicarbonate ions: HCO3

pH Scale

pH Scale
Neutral (as
opposed to
normal) pH is 7
Arterial blood pH
is 7.45
Venous blood pH
is 7.35
Acidosis: body
fluid pH is below
7.4
Alkalosis: body
fluid pH is above
7.4

Sources of Acid in the Body

Respiratory system
CO2 (byproduct of ATP production)
Binds with H2O to form carbonic acid
(volatile acid)

Metabolic breakdown of proteins

Sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, lactic
acid, and organic acids (non-volatile
acids)

Regulation of Hydrogen Ion

Concentration
Because various types of acids are being
produced by the body constantly, the body
must have a way to deal with potential
increases in free hydrogen (acidosis)
Mechanisms that regulate H concentration:
Buffers
Respiratory system
Regulate H concentration from volatile acids
Responds quickly within seconds to minutes

Kidneys
Regulate H concentration from non-volatile acids
Responds more slowly, over a period of hours to days

Buffers
Any molecule that can reversibly
bind (or release) free hydrogen ion
Help to minimize any pH change
until the free H can be removed from
the body by either the lungs or
kidneys or both
Examples:
Bicarbonate ions (extracellular buffer)
Hemoglobin (intracellular buffer)

Regulation of H+ Concentration:
Respiratory System

Regulation of H+ Concentration:
The Kidneys
Kidneys take care of the non-volatile
acids that are constantly produced in
the body
Kidneys maintain normal pH when
they:
Excrete H ions that come from nonvolatile acids
Reabsorb bicarbonate ions filtered at
the glomerulus
Create new bicarbonate ions

Abnormal pH: Alkalosis &

Acidosis
Acidosis
Too much acid (H) or too little
bicarbonate ion (HCO3)
Types: Respiratory acidosis & Metabolic
acidosis

Alkalosis
Too much bicarbonate (HCO3) or too
little acid (H)
Types: Respiratory alkalosis & Metabolic
alkalosis

Respiratory Acidosis &

Alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Caused by decreased ventilation &
increased PCO2: from damaged
respiratory centers in the brain stem
or from lung damage

Respiratory alkalosis
Caused by increased ventilation &
decreased PCO2: from emotionally
induced hyperventilation or high
altitudes

Metabolic Acidosis &

Alkalosis

Metabolic acidosis

Decreased extracellular bicarbonate ions

Causes:

Kidney failure
Formation of excess metabolic acids
Ingestion of acids (aspirin & methyl alcohol)
Loss of bicarbonate ions in diarrhea

Metabolic Alkalosis
Caused by either build-up of bicarbonate ions
or loss of H from the body
Loss of HCl from stomach due to vomiting
Ingestion of alkaline drugs (Na bicarbonate for
ulcers)