Acidosis

Definition

Acidosis is a condition characterized by an excess of acid in the body fluids, resulting in a decrease in blood pH below the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. This imbalance can disrupt metabolic processes and homeostasis, as it affects enzyme activity and alters the function of various physiological systems. Understanding acidosis is crucial because it highlights the importance of maintaining acid-base balance through mechanisms such as buffering systems and respiratory and renal regulation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Acidosis can be classified into two main types: metabolic acidosis, which is due to increased production of acids or loss of bicarbonate, and respiratory acidosis, which results from carbon dioxide retention.
2. Common causes of metabolic acidosis include diabetic ketoacidosis, renal failure, and lactic acidosis due to intense exercise or sepsis.
3. In severe cases, acidosis can lead to symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, headache, and increased heart rate as the body attempts to compensate.
4. The kidneys play a key role in regulating acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate to correct acidosis.
5. Acidosis can lead to detrimental effects on cellular metabolism, including decreased oxygen delivery to tissues and impaired enzyme function.

Review Questions

• How does acidosis affect enzyme activity and overall metabolism in the human body?
  • Acidosis can significantly impact enzyme activity because enzymes are sensitive to pH changes. Most enzymes function optimally within a specific pH range; when pH drops due to acidosis, enzyme structure may change, leading to reduced activity. This disruption in enzymatic function can impair metabolic pathways, affecting energy production and other critical biochemical processes necessary for maintaining homeostasis.
• Discuss the mechanisms by which the body compensates for acidosis and the roles of buffers, respiration, and renal function.
  • The body employs several mechanisms to compensate for acidosis. Buffer systems, primarily bicarbonate buffers, quickly neutralize excess hydrogen ions to help stabilize pH. Additionally, the respiratory system responds by increasing ventilation to expel more carbon dioxide, thus reducing acidity. The kidneys contribute by excreting more hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate, gradually correcting the acid-base imbalance over time. These compensatory responses work together to restore normal pH levels.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of untreated chronic acidosis on long-term health and physiological functions.
  • Untreated chronic acidosis can lead to severe health complications affecting various physiological systems. Prolonged acidity can result in bone demineralization as the body leaches calcium from bones to buffer blood pH. It may also impair cardiovascular function by increasing heart workload and reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. Furthermore, chronic acidosis can lead to muscle wasting and weakness due to altered protein metabolism. In extreme cases, sustained acidosis can cause organ dysfunction or failure, highlighting the critical need for timely management of this condition.

Related terms

Alkalosis: Alkalosis is the condition that occurs when there is an excess of base in the body fluids, leading to an increase in blood pH above 7.45.

Buffer Systems: Buffer systems are mixtures of weak acids and their conjugate bases that help resist changes in pH by neutralizing excess acids or bases in the body.

Respiratory Acidosis: Respiratory acidosis is a specific type of acidosis caused by the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood due to impaired lung function or reduced ventilation.