Physiology Lab Acid Base Balance

Question :

Acid base regulation basics, pulmonary regulation and renal handling of acid-base balance.

Answer :

Acid-Base Balance

From the given videos, I learned about the concept of acid-base balance. In the given videos, the speakers state that pH is the indicator of acidity and the blood pH of a body is regulated between a narrow range between 7.35 and 7.45. A pH that is above 7.45 gives alkalosis while a pH below 7.35 gives acidosis. There is a difference between acid and base. Acid is something that releases hydrogen ions while the base is attached to hydrogen ions or will combine hydrogen ions. If the concentration of hydrogen ion is higher then pH will be lower and acidity will be higher and vice-versa. 

There is a devastating effect on the biochemical process and protein stability if there is a minor change in acidity. I also learned that carbon dioxide is combined with water that makes carbonic acid. The carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate as well as hydrogen ions. Carbon dioxide is produced and excretes into the blood by normal cellular metabolism. Blood is constantly being made more acidic by the normal metabolism and hence it is necessary for the body to react to maintain the required range of blood pH. 

There are two mechanisms that help in maintaining a required range of blood pH such as elimination of carbon dioxide through exhalation and excretion of hydrogen ions and reabsorption of bicarbonate through the kidneys. As more carbon is exhaled less carbon dioxide is made that leads to a decrease in blood acidity and hence blood pH is returned to normal.

References 

YouTube. 2020. Acid-Base Balance, Animation.. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzEEs00v-JU&feature=youtu.be> [Accessed 6 April 2020].

YouTube. 2020. Acid-Base Balance: The Physiology. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZPeP_oIdXk&feature=youtu.be> [Accessed 6 April 2020].