Acid-Base Reactions Affecting The Human Body

Improved Essays
The anatomy of a human exists as an extremely complex and complicated phenomena. Although human anatomy primarily falls under biology, it also incorporates various characteristics from other sciences including chemistry. Among these characteristics, lies the relationship that exists between acids and bases for the functionality of the body. Therefore one can conclude that, acid-base reactions affect the human body through its role in the digestive, urinary, and respiratory system while also exemplifying fundamental principles of chemistry. The digestive system utilizes acids to break down carbohydrates and proteins as they enter the mouth. Another mechanism involved in the digestive process is the stomach, which secrets hydrochloric acid. …show more content…
John, 2015). As mentioned before, the lungs of the respiratory system collaborate with the kidneys to control pH of the body, more so the blood. Unusually low blood pH causes rapid breathing, which effects the amount of CO2 in the body. This gas majorly impacts the determination of blood pH, therefore breathing into a paper bag if hyperventilation occurs allows for the rebreathing of carbon dioxide to keep the pH level of blood at homeostatic equilibrium (Herr & Cunningham, n.d). If the amount of carbon dioxide were to become too high or too low, then the body has the possibility to undergo respiratory acidosis or respiratory alkalosis. The condition of respiratory acidosis means that the lungs cannot remove all the carbon dioxide the body produces (Hadjiliadis, 2014) resulting in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide to create an imbalance in the carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ratio. The opposing condition, respiratory alkalosis means that there exist low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood due to excessive breathing (Dugdale, 2012). The conditions encompass symptoms that directly impact the brain. Consequently, calming oneself during a stressful situation and breathing at a normal rate to keep the amounts of carbon dioxide in the body at a homeostatic equilibrium, are vital for one’s health and

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Explain how this intervention will lead to changes in PCO2 and blood pH. Best thing would be to stop the source of bleeding and then draining the blood in the thoracic cavity which will allow the lung to expand properly decreasing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen in the blood to get pH levels back to…

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Bch370 Lab

    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Introduction Many biological processes are pH dependent, to illustrate, stomach is at a relatively lower pH than other organs for proper function of digestive enzymes. In particular, buffer is essential for maintaining cellular functions. For instance, protein intake and metabolism generates about 70mM of H+ daily (Silverthorn, Johnson, Ober, Garrison, & Silverthorn, 2012), which could lower pH of human blood to as low as 3. To limit the drastic change in blood pH, human body has three buffer systems – bicarbonate, monohydrogen phosphate, and ammonia. Buffer is made up of weak acid and its conjugate base.…

    • 507 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Neutralize Ph Lab

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Purpose: To find the pH of different household items and to see what substances are acids or bases. To see how different substances neutralize each other. Hypothesis: I hypothesize that cleaning products will be bases and foods and substances we ingest will be acids. Materials: • Oil • Finesse Shampoo • Anti Freeze • Drain Opener • Hand Soap • Vinegar •…

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The compensatory mechanism is when the respiratory system decreases ventilation which decreases the rate at which CO2 (carbon dioxide) is expelled out of the body. This response is not usually enough to fully return the blood pH to 7.4. Elevation in PCO2 is accomplished by lowering alveolar ventilation and regulate oxygen levels. The development of alkalemia is sensed by central (medullary neurons) and peripheral chemoreceptors (carotid and aortic bodies), resulting in a reduction in the rate of ventilation and a reduction in tidal volume and this increases the pCO2 elevations. This happens rapidly following the onset of metabolic alkalois.…

    • 775 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    74-75) explained that an integral factor in enzymatic digestion is the pH of individual sections of the digestive tract. The highly acidic pH of the stomach’s gastric juice is needed to not only prevent bacterial growth, but to create an optimal environment for it’s enzymes to digest the food (now chyme) received through the cardioesophageal sphincter. The small intestine cannot handle such high pH, therefore when the stomach releases chyme into the small intestines, a signal is sent to the pancreas to release an alkaline substance called “sodium bicarbonate” to neutralize the chime’s acidic pH. Once neutralized, enzyme-rich pancreatic juices (neutral pH) work together with the enzymes of the cells found in the intestinal wall to facilitate digestion of the “three energy nutrients”. Bile (neutral pH) is secreted into the duodenum from the gallbladder (or liver-if someone is without the gallbladder) to emulsify fat for later absorption.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Alzheimer's Disease Essay

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The respiratory system brings in the necessary oxygen and releases carbon dioxide waste, blood must be continuously oxygenated. With all body systems functioning correctly this allows for the body to be…

    • 1015 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Fetal Pig

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The study of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy is the scientific term for the study of the body structure and physiology is the term for the study of the function of the body’s organs. During the class, we dissected a pig. We did it to compare the human body and its organ systems with the pig body because they are similar in function. We defined each system and the organs that belong to each one.…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The presence of Kussmaul respirations indicates the possible presence of metabolic acidosis as these represent the body’s attempt to maintain a normal pH in the presence of metabolic acidosis (Foster & Provost, 2012). If inappropriate action was not taken at this time, John would have developed cerebral edema or gone into a diabetic coma and died (Craig et al.,…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Cardiovascular Lab

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Following the completion of the activities in the lab manual, students will be able to summarize the functions of the digestive system and locate structures and their functions. The chapter ends by asking the student to label the structures involved in the digestive system, followed by questions to test understanding. To reinforce students' understanding of the human digestion process, the functions of several stomach and small intestine fluids will be analyzed by creating an artificial stomach, by filling a large clear container with vinegar because it has a similar acidity to gastric acid. The small intestines will be simulated with water and baking soda. Baking soda and water together form a base similar to bile, while vinegar is similar to the pH of stomach acid.…

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The digestive system is made up of the alimentary canal which include the mouth or oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines including the accessory organs of digestion which involve the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gall bladder and the pancreas. The alimentary canal and the accessory organs perform the following functions which include; ingestion, secretion,…

    • 1572 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In this experiment, a titration was carried out using a standard solution of hydrochloric acid to establish the molarity of a solution of sodium hydroxide. The concentration of acid in the gastric juice sample was determined using that solution of sodium hydroxide. The pH of gastric juice was then calculated and compared with the value determined by…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The topic involves the relationship between acidic and basic solutions. Most people at one time in their lives have had stomach pain. Antacids are used to sooth your stomach (Fleishman). This project will test which antacids are the strongest. During the experiment there will be several test tubes filled with a “natural acid-base indicator” (Fleishman).…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Appendicitis Essay

    • 1233 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Along with the different functions that follow while food is being digested into the body. Among the many things that the digestive system has to offer it also has it’s not so good perks like symptoms & disorders. I have chosen to research about how an infected appendix can affect anybody without a single warning. I will also discuss how it affected a very well-known solo artist and his ordeal behind his Appendicitis.…

    • 1233 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The digestive organs of the lower torso include lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which consists of the small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Several accessory organs, such as the liver and pancreas, assist the lower GI tract with the digestion of food to release nutrients. The food is digested completely and at this time all of the nutrients have been absorbed into the bloodstream. Bacteria also assist the digestion of food and its converting into feces for defaction. There is an acidic fluid that passes from the stomach through the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food called Chyme.…

    • 620 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Food Digestion Essay

    • 845 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Digestion can be described as food being broken down into its most basic and simple components so that we can absorb the nutrients to give us energy and nutrition. Digestion occurs in what is known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and other important organs such as salivary glands, the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Digestion first occurs with food entering the mouth. Food is usually comprised of three macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats (lipids), and proteins.…

    • 845 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays