Acid base imbalance. Carbonic acid or H2CO2 (Carbon dioxide dissolved in water) is the main acid and bicarbonate HCO3 is the main base (alkali) in the body. Henderson Hasselbach equation PH = PK (6.1) + log HCO3/H2CO3) Blood pH is determined by the ratio of concentration of bicarbonate and concentration of H2CO3 in the arterial blood and not by their absolute amounts. To convert PCO2 into H2CO2 you have to multiply PCO2 by its solubility factor which is 0.03. 0.03 X 40 = 1.2 Normal PH means Ratio (HCO3 - 24 / H2CO3 - 1.2) is 20 : 1.
If this ratio is > 20 it is alkalosis, If < 20 it is acidosis. Metabolism of fat and carbohydrate produces carbon dioxide which is nothing but carbonic acid when dissolved in water. Carbonic acid is volatile acid since it can be expelled as gas CO2. Metabolism of protein produces sulphates and phospholipid metabolism produces phosphates. Sulfuric acid and…
