title: Acid-base balance made simple.
abstract: The control of extracellular acid-base balance is difficult to grasp unless it is realized that the pH of the blood depends upon the ratio H2CO3/NaHCO3 and that, without alteration of pulmonary ventilation, the H2CO3 neither rises nor falls. It must also be understood that the H+ ions, excreted by the kidneys, are byproducts of NaHCO3 reclamation and neogenesis and are not derived from metabolic acids.
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000142:Acidosis, Respiratory / Q000209:etiology; D000471:Alkalosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000472:Alkalosis, Respiratory / Q000209:etiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002255:Carbonic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002255:Carbonic Acid; D012964:Sodium