MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When bicarbonate combines with a hydrogen ion, the result is carbonic acid (H2CO3). The conjugate base can be any negatively charged ion that isn’t a bicarbonate or a chloride. The formula for anion gap is: [Na]-([Cl]+[HCO3])

Detailed explanation-2: -With bicarbonate, H+ bonds to HCO3-to form H2CO3, which is a weak acid. With less hydrogen ion available, the solution is less acidic than it would have been without the buffer.

Detailed explanation-3: -H2CO3 is a weak acid and is unstable in nature. It undergoes partial dissociation in the presence of water to yield H+ and HCO3– (bicarbonate) ions. Carbonic acid is a diprotic acid, and can hence form two types of salts, namely bicarbonates and carbonates.