Acid-Base Balance

• #Schweitzer
• Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System
  • %LaTeX%HCO_3^- + H^+ \leftrightarrow H_2 CO_3 \leftrightarrow \text{Carbonic Anhydrase} \leftrightarrow H_2 O + CO_2%LaTeX%
  • The metabolic component of this buffer system is %LaTeX%H_2 CO_3%LaTeX%, the respiratory component is %LaTeX%H_2 O + CO_2%LaTeX%.
  • Respiratory Imbalance
    • Respiratory Acidosis occurs when the respiratory system cannot get rid of built up %LaTeX%CO_2%LaTeX% from normal metabolism
    • Respiratory Alkalosis occurs when the respiratory system exhales too much %LaTeX%CO_2%LaTeX%, usually from hyperventilation
  • Metabolic Imbalance
    • Metabolic Acidosis occurs when there is too little bicarbonate (%LaTeX%H_2 CO_3%LaTeX%) or too much %LaTeX%H^+%LaTeX% in the body
      • Ketoacidosis, acid ingestion, anaerobic metabolism, shock
    • Metabolic Alkalosis occurs when there is an increase of %LaTeX%HCO_3^-%LaTeX% in the body or a decrease in circulating acids
      • Antacid overdose, excessive vomiting
• Phosphate Buffer System
  • %LaTeX%H_2 PO_4^- \leftrightarrow HPO_4^{2-} + H^+%LaTeX%
  • This buffer system stabilizes the acidity of urine and intracellular fluid
• Protein Buffer System