Biochem Case 2A

1. Respiratory Alkalosis
a. Higher pH and lower PCO2 - shown by increased respiratory rate
b. Compensation by the renal system by returning pH close to normal via excreting more HCO3 in the
urine (alkaline)
2. Chronic ASA Toxicity - Metabolic Acidosis - may be caused by increased production of nonvolatile
acids (ketone bodies, lactic acid, or chronic renal failure) OR increased loss of HCO3 (diarrhea,
diamox)
a. lower pH and HCO3 - due to metabolic or renal disorder - shown by primary decreased HCO3 levels
b. Compensation by immediate response from respiratory system (hyperventilate), lowering PCO2 and
HCO3 will remain low until treated
3.
a. Respiratory acidosis - pH is below 7.35 and higher than normal PCO2 ---caused by hypoventilation airway obstruction, lung disease (COPD, fibrosis), injury to phrenic nerve, opiods
b. Respiratory alkalosis pH above 7.45 and lower than normal PCO2caused by hyperventilation:
anxiety, fever, hypoxia (high altitude)
c. Metabolic AcidosispH is below 7.35 and may be due to increased production of nonvolatile acids
(ketone bodies, lactic acid, or chronic renal failure) OR increased loss of HCO3 (diarrhea, diamox)
d. Metabolic Alkalosis - pH above 7.45 and may be due to vomiting/excessive use of antacids- loss of
acid in stomach and excess levels of HCO3
4. a) respiratory acidosis - compensated by renal system by excreting H ions in the urine
b) metabolic alkalosis - compensated by respiratory system by hypoventilating (increase PCO2)
c) metabolic acidosis - compensated by respiratory system by hyperventilating (decrease PCO2)
d) respiratory alkalosis- compensated by renal system by excreting HCO3 in the urine

5. - Di-isopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) is a neurotoxin that irreversibly inhibits acetylcholineesterase

and binds to the serine at the active site, preventing cleaving of acetylcholine causing it to accumulate
and overstimulation of muscle contraction.
Aspirin reduces blood clotting by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX).
6. -Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer: ECF
-Hemoglobin: due to histadine residues- in RBC
-Phosphate buffer- ECF
-Proteins- ICF and plasma
SEE BICARBONATE BUFFER SYSTEM
-pK
-diff buffer at pH>pK and pH<pK

7. Respiratory - The lung is responsible for removal of carbon dioxide gas from the body
and bringing in oxygen. By removing carbon dioxide in the body, lungs are able to reduce
any volatile acid buildup. Rate of respiration often plays a role in maintaining balance of
acid and base by controlling the amount of carbon dioxide.

acid and base by controlling the amount of carbon dioxide.

Hyperventilate (dec PCO2)- when pH is low
Hypoventilate (inc PCO2)- when pH is high
Renal - kidneys secrete protons that react with filtered bicarbonate to form carbonic
acid via carbonic anhydrase AND convert carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid inside the cell. Carbonic acid
dissociates to form H+ and bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is circulated back into the blood while
protons are secreted by the kidneys.
Reabsorb HCO3 - when pH is low
Secrete H ions - when pH is high
Phosphate (hydrogen phosphate to form dihydrogen phosphate, H2PO4(-). This is
excreted in urine.
Ammonia absorbs protons to form the ammonium cation (NH4+). This is excreted in urine
as ammonium chloride.
8. uncharged forms do not react with anything so therefore they are easily

absorbed