Question 62:
A metabolic condition in which the capacity of the body to buffer OH– is diminished, is called:
The correct answer is (B) Alkalosis.
A metabolic condition where the body loses buffering capacity against OH⁻ (hydroxide/base) leads to alkalosis, characterized by elevated blood pH (>7.45) due to excess bicarbonate or base gain.
Option Breakdown
(A) Acidosis
Acidosis occurs when buffering against H⁺ is overwhelmed (pH <7.35), opposite of diminished OH⁻ buffering.
(B) Alkalosis
Correct; metabolic alkalosis specifically shows reduced ability to neutralize excess OH⁻/HCO₃⁻ from vomiting, diuretics, or alkali loads, raising pH via renal H⁺ loss maintenance.
(C) Kurtosis
Kurtosis is a statistics term measuring distribution peakedness, unrelated to acid-base metabolism.
(D) Lipidosis
Lipidosis refers to lipid storage disorders (e.g., Tay-Sachs), not acid-base imbalance.
Introduction to Buffer OH Diminished Alkalosis
Buffer OH diminished alkalosis describes metabolic alkalosis where bicarbonate buffering fails against base excess, elevating pH >7.45. Critical for GATE Life Sciences acid-base physiology questions.
Mechanism of Metabolic Alkalosis
Generation phase: H⁺ loss (vomiting gastric HCl) or HCO₃⁻ gain (antacids). Maintenance: hypokalemia/volume contraction impairs renal HCO₃⁻ excretion. Symptoms include tetany, confusion from hypocalcemia.
ABG shows pH↑, HCO₃⁻↑, PaCO₂↑ (respiratory compensation).
Conditions Comparison Table
| Option | Acid-Base Effect | pH Change | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidosis | Excess H⁺ | ↓ (<7.35) | Lactic, ketoacidosis |
| Alkalosis | OH⁻ buffering fail | ↑ (>7.45) | Vomiting, diuretics |
| Kurtosis | Statistical measure | N/A | Distribution shape |
| Lipidosis | Lipid accumulation | N/A | Storage disorders |
Identifies buffer OH diminished alkalosis precisely.
Exam Relevance for Life Sciences Students
Connects prior enzyme kinetics (Kd substrate binding), lipids (membrane stability affects ion channels), liver failure (lactic acidosis risk); master chloride-responsive vs. resistant alkalosis for PYQs.
