Textbook Question
Write the missing names and molecular formulas for the following reactions between the carbonic acid–bicarbonate buffer system and the bicarbonate reserve.
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a. ___
b. ___
c. ___
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26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance
Acid-Base Balance
Problem 18a
Textbook Question
Define and give an example of:
(a) A volatile acid
(b) A fixed acid, and
(c) A metabolic acid
Which represents the greatest threat to acid-base balance? Why?
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Define a volatile acid. A volatile acid is an acid that can be eliminated from the body as a gas. The primary example is carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which is formed when carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves in water. Carbonic acid can dissociate into CO₂ and water, allowing CO₂ to be exhaled by the lungs.
Step 2: Define a fixed acid. A fixed acid is an acid that cannot be eliminated as a gas and must be excreted by the kidneys. Examples include sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), which are produced during the metabolism of proteins and phospholipids.
Step 3: Define a metabolic acid. A metabolic acid is an acid produced as a byproduct of cellular metabolism. Examples include lactic acid, which is generated during anaerobic respiration, and ketone bodies, which are produced during fat metabolism in conditions like diabetes or starvation.
Step 4: Identify which acid represents the greatest threat to acid-base balance. Metabolic acids, such as lactic acid and ketone bodies, represent the greatest threat to acid-base balance because their accumulation can lead to metabolic acidosis, a condition where the blood pH drops dangerously low.
Step 5: Explain why metabolic acids pose a significant threat. Unlike volatile acids, which can be rapidly eliminated by the lungs, or fixed acids, which are excreted by the kidneys over time, metabolic acids can accumulate quickly during pathological conditions (e.g., hypoxia or diabetes), overwhelming the body's buffering systems and leading to severe disruptions in acid-base homeostasis.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Volatile Acid
Volatile acids are acids that can be converted to gas and eliminated through respiration. The primary example is carbonic acid (H2CO3), which forms from the reaction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) in the body. When CO2 levels rise, it can lead to increased carbonic acid, affecting the body's pH balance. This process is crucial for maintaining acid-base homeostasis.
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Fixed Acid
Fixed acids are non-volatile acids that cannot be converted to gas and must be excreted by the kidneys. Examples include sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, which are produced from protein metabolism. These acids accumulate in the body and can lead to metabolic acidosis if not adequately managed, as they directly affect the body's acid-base balance.
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Metabolic Acid
Metabolic acids are acids produced as a byproduct of metabolism, such as lactic acid and ketoacids. They arise from processes like anaerobic respiration or fat metabolism, respectively. An accumulation of metabolic acids can disrupt the acid-base balance, leading to conditions like metabolic acidosis, which poses a significant threat to physiological stability and can impair organ function.
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