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The bicarbonate ion (hydrogencarbonate ion) is an anion with the empirical formula HCO − 3 and a molecular mass of 61.01 daltons; it consists of one central carbon atom surrounded by three oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement, with a hydrogen atom attached to one of the oxygens.
The bicarbonate buffer system is an acid-base homeostatic mechanism involving the balance of carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3), bicarbonate ion (HCO − 3 ), and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in order to maintain pH in the blood and duodenum , among other tissues, to support proper metabolic function. [ 1 ]
Metabolic alkalosis is an acid-base disorder in which the pH of tissue is elevated beyond the normal range (7.35–7.45). This is the result of decreased hydrogen ion concentration, leading to increased bicarbonate (HCO − 3), or alternatively a direct result of increased bicarbonate concentrations.
Metabolic acidosis is a serious electrolyte disorder characterized by an imbalance in the body's acid-base balance.Metabolic acidosis has three main root causes: increased acid production, loss of bicarbonate, and a reduced ability of the kidneys to excrete excess acids. [5]
The kidneys only partially compensate, so the patient may still have a low blood pH, i.e. acidemia. In summary, the kidneys partially compensate for respiratory acidosis by raising blood bicarbonate. A high base excess, thus metabolic alkalosis, usually involves an excess of bicarbonate. It can be caused by
The result can be detected with high levels of lactate and low levels of bicarbonate. This is usually considered the result of illness but also results from strenuous exercise. The effect on pH is moderated by the presence of respiratory compensation. Lactic acidosis is usually the result of tissue hypoxia which is not the same as arterial hypoxia.
Acute respiratory alkalosis occurs rapidly, have a high pH because the response of the kidneys is slow. [ 14 ] Chronic respiratory alkalosis is a more long-standing condition, here one finds the kidneys have time to decrease the bicarbonate level.
The lower the pH, the higher the concentration of bicarbonate will be. This shows how a lower pH can lead to higher alkalinity if the amount of bicarbonate produced is greater than the amount of H + remaining after the reaction. This is the case since the amount of acid in the rainwater is low.