ABAS, AGUINALDO, ARGAYOSA, BALUYOT
GROUP 1
BIOCHEM LAB
BLOOD BUFFERS
Buffer - a solution that can resist pH change
upon the addition of an acidic or basic
component.
Human blood contains a buffer in order to
maintain blood pH between 7.35 - 7.45.
THREE MAJOR BUFFER SYSTEMS
RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING pH:
1. Bicarbonate Buffer System
2. Phosphate Buffer System
3. Plasma Protein Buffer System
Bicarbonate Buffer System
- Arguably the most important as it is the only
one that is coupled to the respiratory
system.
- As with any buffer system, the pH is
balanced by the presence of both a weak
acid (for example, H2CO3) and its conjugate
base (for example, HCO−3) so that any
excess acid or base introduced to the
system is neutralized.
- Consists of HCO−3 to neutralize H+ and
dissolved CO2 to neutralize OH+.
- The primary role of the bicarbonate ion in
the blood system is to transport waste
carbon dioxide from the various body
tissues to the lungs, where it can be
expelled.
- Carbon dioxide itself is not nearly soluble
enough in water, and would quickly build up
in the body tissues and poison them. So the
body uses the enzyme carbonic anhydrase
to catalyze the reaction of carbon dioxide
and water into carbonic acid, which is much
more soluble. This quickly dissolves into the
blood, and dissociates into H+
and
bicarbonate. As the blood flows through
metabolically active tissues, the relatively
high concentration of carbon dioxide drives
the reaction in the direction of producing
bicarbonate.
- When the blood reaches the capillaries in
the lungs, where there is a very low
concentration of carbon dioxide, the
direction of the reaction reverses and
bicarbonate and H+ are converted back into
carbon dioxide and water. The carbon
dioxide then comes out of solution and can
be breathed out.
- As a secondary effect, bicarbonate is an
excellent buffer and helps to keep the pH of
the blood in its proper range of 7.35-7.45.
Phosphate Buffer System
- Operates in the internal fluids of all cells.
- Consists of dihydrogen phosphate ions as
the hydrogen ion donor (acid) and hydrogen
phosphate ion as the ion acceptor (base).
- If additional hydroxide ions enter the cellular
fluid, they are neutralized by the dihydrogen
phosphate ion. If extra hydrogen ions enter
the cellular fluid then they are neutralized by
the hydrogen phosphate ion.
Plasma Protein Buffer System
- Helps to maintain acidity in and around the
cells.
- Hemoglobin makes an excellent buffer by
binding to small amounts of acids in the
blood before they can alter the pH of the
blood.
- Other proteins containing the amino acid
histidine are also good at buffering.
Acidosis - a decrease in the pH of the blood
Alkalosis - an increase in the pH of the blood
7.365 pH - average blood pH level
ACIDOSIS ALKALOSIS
< 7 pH > 7 pH
↑ H+ ↓ H+
ABAS, AGUINALDO, ARGAYOSA, BALUYOT
GROUP 1
BIOCHEM LAB
7.35 -
6.6-6.8 6.8-7.35 7.45-7.8
7.45
DEATH NEU-
ACIDOSIS TRAL ALKALOSIS
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
- Too much acid build up in body fluids which
affects bicarbonate (HCO3) levels
- Occurs when kidneys can’t eliminate
enough acid or when they get rid of too
much base
SEVERAL MAJOR FORMS:
1. Diabetic Acidosis - occurs in people
with diabetes that’s poorly controlled and/
or treated. If your body lacks enough
insulin, ketones build up in the body and
acidify your blood.
2. Hyperchloremic Acidosis - results from
a loss of sodium bicarbonate. This base
helps to keep the blood neutral. Both
diarrhea and vomiting can cause this type
of acidosis.
3. Lactic Acidosis - occurs when there is
too much lactic acid in the body. Causes
can include chronic alcohol use, heart
failure, cancer, seizures, liver failure,
prolonged lack of oxygen, and low blood
sugar. Even prolonged exercise can lead
to lactic acid build up.
4. Renal Tubular Acidosis - occurs when
the kidneys are unable to excrete acids
into the urine. This causes the blood to
become acidic.
- There are several factors that contribute to
the risk of metabolic acidosis, which include
but not limited to kidney failure and
diabetes.
- Causes can be classified as high anion gap
or normal anion gap
CAUSES:
• Aspirin toxicity
• Carbohydrates are not metabolized
7.8-8.0
• Insufficiency of the kidney
• Diarrhea and Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DEATH
SYMPTOMS:
• Kussmaul’s breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Being weak
• Confusion
- The specific types of metabolic acidosis
each have their own treatments. People with
hyperchloremic acidosis may be given oral
sodium bicarbonate. Acidosis from kidney
failure may be treated with sodium citrate.
Diabetics with ketoacidosis receive IV fluids
and insulin to balance out their pH. Lactic
acidosis treatment might include
bicarbonate supplements, IV fluids, oxygen,
or antibiotics, depending on the cause.
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
- Occurs when the body has either too many
alkali-producing bicarbonate ions or too few
acid-producing hydrogen ions
2 KINDS:
1. Chloride-responsive Alkalosis -
results from loss of hydrogen ions, usually
by vomiting or dehydration.
2. Chloride-resistant Alkalosis - results
when the body retains too many
bicarbonate (alkaline) ions.
CAUSES:
• Aldosterone production (excessive) – causes
renal tubules to keep sodium, thus losing
hydrogen ions and potassium
• Loop diuretics - are commonly prescribed for
high blood pressure and can cause
increased urinary acid secretion.
• Alkali ingestion – alkali content of foods will
increase the amount of bicarbonate in the
blood
ABAS, AGUINALDO, ARGAYOSA, BALUYOT
GROUP 1
BIOCHEM LAB
• Anticoagulant (citrate) – body metabolizes it CAUSES:
as bicarbonate • chronic airway conditions, like asthma
• Loss of stomach acids - gastric juices have a • injury to the chest
high content of hydrochloric acid. Its loss • obesity, which can make breathing difficult
causes an increase in the alkalinity of the • sedative misuse
blood. • overuse of alcohol
• Increased sodium bicarbonate administration • muscle weakness in the chest
(in correcting acidosis) • problems with the nervous system
• Hypokalemia (Potassium Deficiency) - • deformed chest structure
causes the hydrogen ions normally present
in the fluid around the cells to shift inside. SYMPTOMS:
• Reduced volume of blood in the arteries - • fatigue or drowsiness
impairs the body’s ability to remove alkaline • becoming tired easily
bicarbonate ions. • confusion
• shortness of breath
SYMPTOMS: • sleepiness
• Vomiting • headache
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue TREATMENTS:
• Agitation Treatments for this condition are usually
• Disorientation designed to help your lungs. For example, you
• Seizures may be given drugs to dilate your airway. You
• Coma might also be given oxygen or a continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.
TREATMENT:
• For chloride-responsive alkalosis, the person CPAP device - can help you breathe if you
may only need to make necessary diet have an obstructed airway or muscle
adjustments, such as increasing the intake of weakness.
salt (sodium chloride). The chloride ions will
make your blood more acidic and reduce RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
alkalosis. If the condition needs immediate - Happens when there’s an increased
attention, health practitioners may give an IV respiration rate where it elevates the blood
containing saline solution. pH of the body from the normal range of
• For chlorine-resistant alkalosis, the body (7.35-7.45).
may be depleted of potassium. Thus, taking - A disturbance in acid and base balance due
pills containing potassium chloride under a to alveolar hyperventilation.
doctor’s instruction or receiving potassium
chloride intravenously is prescribed. CAUSES:
• panic attacks
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS • anxiety
- occurs when too much CO2 builds up in the • heart attack
body. Normally, the lungs remove CO2 while • pain
you breathe. However, sometimes your • drug use
body can’t get rid of enough CO2 • asthma
• fever
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
ABAS, AGUINALDO, ARGAYOSA, BALUYOT
GROUP 1
BIOCHEM LAB
• infection
• pulmonary embolism
• pregnancy

SYMPTOMS:
Overbreathing is a sign that respiratory
alkalosis is likely to develop. However, low
carbon dioxide levels in the blood also have a
number of physical effects, including:

• dizziness
• bloating
• feeling lightheaded
• numbness or muscle spasms in the hands
and feet
• discomfort in the chest area
• confusion
• dry mouth
• tingling in the arms
• heart palpitations
• feeling short of breath

TREATMENT:
• Administering an opioid pain reliever or anti-
anxiety medication to reduce
hyperventilation
• Providing oxygen to help keep a person from
hyperventilating
• Using medications or direct cardioversion for
correcting any heart rhythm abnormalities