BICARBONATE
Bicarbonate is a base that helps maintain the body's acid-base balance, also known as pH. It's an important component of the body's buffering system and is found in the blood and mineral water.
Here are some things to know about bicarbonate:
Chemical formula: Bicarbonate's chemical formula is HCO3- and its molar mass is 61.02 g/mol.
Blood pH: The kidneys regulate blood bicarbonate levels. The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood is used to measure serum bicarbonate levels, which indicates the body's acid-base balance.
Metabolic acidosis: If the body has too much acid, it's called metabolic acidosis.
Sodium bicarbonate: Also known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate is a compound that contains bicarbonate.
Blood gas analysis: Bicarbonate is a calculated value that's determined as part of a blood gas analysis.
