An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System
Understanding acid-base disorders using weak-acid concepts learned in general chemistry class is challenging for pre-nursing and pre-professional biology students enrolled in anatomy/physiology and biochemistry classes. We utilized a graphic seesaw model of carbonic acid-bicarbonate equilibrium usin...
Published in: | The American Biology Teacher |
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National Association of Biology Teachers
2021
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 |
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ftbioone:10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 2024-05-12T08:02:20+00:00 An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee world 2021-10-29 text/HTML https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 en eng National Association of Biology Teachers doi:10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 All rights reserved. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 alkalosis blood buffer Henderson-Hasselbalch equation kidneys seesaw Text 2021 ftbioone https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 2024-04-16T02:13:14Z Understanding acid-base disorders using weak-acid concepts learned in general chemistry class is challenging for pre-nursing and pre-professional biology students enrolled in anatomy/physiology and biochemistry classes. We utilized a graphic seesaw model of carbonic acid-bicarbonate equilibrium using the Henderson-Hasselbalch (H-H) equation of a weak acid. We then used real-world clinical case studies for students to identify acid-base disorders and the appropriate compensatory responses of the lungs and kidneys. Students developed a working knowledge of how the bicarbonate blood buffer system maintains a physiological pH of 7.4 using a “seesaw” with metabolic [HCO3 –] on one side, and respiratory PCO2 on the other at a ratio of 20:1 in the H-H equation. When the dysfunction of either the kidneys or lungs causes the seesaw to tip, homeostasis pH is disrupted, causing an acid-base disorder classified as metabolic or respiratory acidosis or alkalosis. The functioning organ can “level the seesaw” by compensating for the dysfunction of the opposite organ to regain homeostasis. Unlike traditional ways of explaining acid-base disorders, this graphic seesaw method is a simple and easy way to achieve understanding. Text Carbonic acid BioOne Online Journals The American Biology Teacher 83 8 526 531 |
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alkalosis blood buffer Henderson-Hasselbalch equation kidneys seesaw |
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alkalosis blood buffer Henderson-Hasselbalch equation kidneys seesaw Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
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alkalosis blood buffer Henderson-Hasselbalch equation kidneys seesaw |
description |
Understanding acid-base disorders using weak-acid concepts learned in general chemistry class is challenging for pre-nursing and pre-professional biology students enrolled in anatomy/physiology and biochemistry classes. We utilized a graphic seesaw model of carbonic acid-bicarbonate equilibrium using the Henderson-Hasselbalch (H-H) equation of a weak acid. We then used real-world clinical case studies for students to identify acid-base disorders and the appropriate compensatory responses of the lungs and kidneys. Students developed a working knowledge of how the bicarbonate blood buffer system maintains a physiological pH of 7.4 using a “seesaw” with metabolic [HCO3 –] on one side, and respiratory PCO2 on the other at a ratio of 20:1 in the H-H equation. When the dysfunction of either the kidneys or lungs causes the seesaw to tip, homeostasis pH is disrupted, causing an acid-base disorder classified as metabolic or respiratory acidosis or alkalosis. The functioning organ can “level the seesaw” by compensating for the dysfunction of the opposite organ to regain homeostasis. Unlike traditional ways of explaining acid-base disorders, this graphic seesaw method is a simple and easy way to achieve understanding. |
author2 |
Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee |
format |
Text |
author |
Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee |
author_facet |
Jonathan M. Hughes Victor H. Vilchiz Cathy Lee |
author_sort |
Jonathan M. Hughes |
title |
An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
title_short |
An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
title_full |
An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
title_fullStr |
An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
title_full_unstemmed |
An Easy Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Balance in a Blood Buffer System |
title_sort |
easy approach to understanding acid-base balance in a blood buffer system |
publisher |
National Association of Biology Teachers |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 |
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world |
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Carbonic acid |
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Carbonic acid |
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https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 |
op_relation |
doi:10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 |
op_rights |
All rights reserved. |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2021.83.8.526 |
container_title |
The American Biology Teacher |
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83 |
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8 |
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526 |
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531 |
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