Page 7 - Herlihy: The Human Body in Health and Illness, 3rd Edition

from solution
a. Strong base: removes many H +
b. Weak base: removes few H +
c. Often contains OH –
3. Neutralization of acids and bases
a. Reaction produces a salt and water
b. Example: stomach acid (HCl) is neutralized by a base
that is found in the intestines

HCL+NaOH=H2O+NaCl
Acid+Base = Water + Salt

Clinical Correlates Use of antacids in the treatment of
gastric acidity
4. Measurement: the pH Scale (Figure 2-6)
a. pH scale
i. Scale from 1-14 (pH 7 = neutral)
+
ii. Each pH unit represents a ten-fold change in [H ]
iii.Increased [H ] causes pH to decrease
+
a. More acidic
b. Scale is pink
iv. Decreased [H ] causes pH to increase
+
a. More basic or alkaline
b. Scale is blue

b. pH of body fluids
i. Blood pH = 7.35-7.45
a. If blood pH < 7.35… acidosis
b. If blood pH > 7.45… alkalosis
ii. Urine pH = 5-8
iii.Intestinal contents = 8-10

Acidosis may cause breathing disorders

Clinical Correlates An uncontrolled diabetic is making excess
ketoacids and has a blood pH of 7.2

Acid-Base Reactions

When an acid and a base are placed together, they react to neutralize the acid and base
properties, producing a salt. The H(+) cation of the acid combines with the OH(-) anion