SCH1143D 1 Assignment
SCH1143D Systems Physiology
– Clinical Case Study –
This assignment will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the acid-base
balance, the bicarbonate buffer system, metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, and how this
knowledge can be applied in clinical situations.
To prepare for this assignment, please read the following in your textbook:
• Chapter 26: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Pay particular attention to the following sections:
• Acid-Base Balance
• Chemical Buffer Systems
• Respiratory Regulation of H+
• Renal Mechanisms of Acid-Base Balance
• Abnormalities of Acid-Base Balance
Metabolic Acidosis
pH denotes the hydrogen ion concentration [H+], in a solution (such as body fluids). The pH
of a body’s fluid is also referred to as its acid-base balance. The pH of body fluids is very
tightly regulated. Blood and tissue fluids normally have a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. Under
pathological conditions, blood pH as low as 6.9 or as high as 7.8 has been recorded, but a
higher or lower pH cannot sustain human life. The human body normally produces a large
amount of H+ as the result of metabolic processes, ingested acids, and the products of fat,
sugar, and amino acid metabolism. The regulation of a relatively constant internal pH is one
of the major physiological functions of the body’s organ systems.
To maintain pH homeostasis, the body utilises both chemical and physiological buffering
systems. Chemical buffers are composed of a mixture of weak acids and weak bases. They
help regulate the body’s pH levels by binding H+ and removing it from solution as its
concentration begins to rise or by releasing H+ into solution as its concentration begins to fall.
The body’s two major physiological buffering systems are the renal system and the
respiratory system. In this exercise, you will focus on compensation of metabolic acidosis
and alkalosis.
To identify the physiological effect metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, a simple experiment was
devised (Figure 1) using:
• Simulated heart pump
• Simulated lung chamber
• Oscilloscope – used to observe timing of breathing volume
SCH1143D 2 Assignment
Figure 1: Experimental Set-Up for Testing the Effect of Metabolic Acidosis
(Zao, P., Stabler, T., Smith, L., Lokuta, A., and Griff, E. (2013). PhysioEx9.1: Laboratory Simulations in Physiology. San
Francisco: Pearson.)
The experiment is repeated with a body cell metabolic rate of:
• 50 (kcal/hr) – normal
• 60 (kcal/hr)
• 80 (kcal/hr)
• 40 (kcal/hr)
• 20 (kcal/hr)
These data are presented below.
SCH1143D 3 Assignment
Experimental Data
Figure 2: Metabolic Rate (50 kcal/hr) Figure 3: Metabolic Rate (60 kcal/hr)
Figure 4: Metabolic Rate (80 kcal/hr) Figure 5: Metabolic Rate (40 kcal/hr)
Figure 6: Metabolic Rate (20 kcal/hr)
(Zao, P., Stabler, T., Smith, L., Lokuta, A., and Griff, E. (2013). PhysioEx9.1: Laboratory Simulations in Physiology. San
Francisco: Pearson.)
Table 1: Data Recorded for Metabolic Rate, Respiration, and Acid-Base Balance
SCH1143D 4 Assignment
Assignment Requirements
Descriptive Title
This should be a statement relating to what the assignment is about
Introductory Paragraph
This should provide background information on metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, respiratory
acidosis and alkalosis, and renal and respiratory compensation. References are required.
Results Interpretation
This should explain the effect of increased metabolic rate on respiration and the subsequent
effect on acid-base balance.
You must refer to Figures 2-6 and Table 1 to guide your explanation using specific data
points as evidence for your discussion (copy and paste these figures into your assignment if
you wish). References are not required.
Questions
References are required.
1. List and describe two possible causes of metabolic acidosis.
2. List and describe two possible causes of metabolic alkalosis.
3. Which values increased with increasing metabolism?
4. Describe what happened to the blood pH when the metabolic rate was increased to 80
kcal/hr. What body system was compensating?
5. Describe what happened to the blood pH when the metabolic rate was decreased to 20
kcal/hr. What body system was compensating?
6. Describe what happened to the breathing when metabolism was increased. Why?
Conclusion
This should provide an overall summary outlining the clinical considerations associated with
metabolic acidosis. References are required.
References
• A minimum of five references should be provided
• These need to be in APA format (in-text and end-text)
• Do not reference Wikipedia (only .gov, .edu, .org websites are acceptable)
SCH1143D 5 Assignment
Submission Information
Due Date Week 10, Friday, 4pm
Marks 40
Weighting 10% of the total unit mark
Marks Allocation
Check the rubric before you submit to ensure you have covered all
required aspects
Turnitin
Follow Turnitin Link in Moodle under Week 10
(Multiple submissions are allowed up until the due date)
Plagiarism
Originality report must be below 20% or up to 4 marks will be lost
(1 mark per 10%)
Submission
PIBT Assignment Cover Sheet required
(Cover page and contents page not required)
Formatting 11 or 12 size font; double spaced; Word document
Word Count
Five pages
(Not including references and cover sheet)
Late assignments will incur a penalty of 5% per day (refer to Unit Outline)
Plagiarism and Collusion will not be tolerated, and will result in a grade of 0
SCH1143D 6 Assignment
Metabolic Acidosis Assignment Rubric
Incomplete Below Average Average Above Average Excellent
Title (2 Marks)
• A short statement
• Explains assignment
Not provided Commenced; incomplete
Provided; lacking in
information and/or detail
Provided; lacking some
descriptive aspects
Clearly and fully described
Introductory Paragraph (4 Marks)
• Metabolic
acidosis/alkalosis
• Respiratory
acidosis/alkalosis
• Renal/respiratory
compensation
• References provided
Not provided
Some information present;
limited description;
significant errors
Relevant information
presented; some
information lacking;
relatively error-free
Information presented;
lacking minor aspects of
description
Full and correct
explanation using
references to support
statements
Results Interpretation (6 Marks)
• Metabolic rate Vs
Respiration Vs Acidbase
balance
• References to data
Not provided
Explanation does not
include molecular/cellular
mechanisms; significant
misconceptions; lack of
supporting data
Explanation present
without major
misconceptions; may be
incomplete; lack of
supporting data
Good explanations; may
lack some details or
depth; some supporting
data
Full and correct
explanation using
provided data to support
statements
Questions (12 Marks)
• Questions 1-6
addressed and
answered
• References provided
Not provided
Lack explanation or show
basic misunderstanding
Lacking in detail or
explanation
Lacking in minor detail or
explanation
Full and correct answers
to each question provided
Conclusion (4 Marks)
• Metabolic acidosis
• Clinical considerations
• References provided
Not provided
Lack explanation or show
basic misunderstanding
Lacking in detail or
explanation
Lacking in minor detail or
explanation
Clearly, fully, and correctly
described
References (6 Marks)
• Five references
• Correct APA format
• Appropriate websites
Not provided
Less than five references
used; many formatting
errors in-text and end-text
Less than five references
used; formatting errors intext
and end-text
Less than five references
provided; some formatting
errors in-text and end-text
Full reference information
presented in-text and endtext
Language (6 Marks)
• Well presented
• Logical flow
• Sentence structure
• Word use
Structure lacking; illogical
order; poor sentence
structure; spelling errors
Significantly lacking in
structure; sentence
structure/spelling in
adequate
Clearly presented with
good flow, sentence
structure/spelling; some
use of terminology
Clearly presented with
good flow, sentence
structure/spelling; better
use of terminology
Clearly presented with
good flow; excellent
sentence
structure/spelling; sound
use of terminology

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