Blood pH Buffer (Henderson-Hasselbalch)

\text{pH} = 6.1 + \log\frac{[\text{HCO}_3^-]}{0.03 \times P_{\text{CO}_2}}

Blood pH determined by bicarbonate and dissolved CO₂—critical acid-base balance.

By Lawrence Henderson, Karl Hasselbalch

Medical Sciences

1909 · Lawrence Henderson

Why it matters: Essential for ICU medicine, anesthesia, and emergency care.

Discoverers: Lawrence Henderson, Karl Hasselbalch (1909)

What does it mean?

Blood pH determined by bicarbonate and dissolved CO₂—critical acid-base balance.

Essential for ICU medicine, anesthesia, and emergency care.

Symbol	Name	Unit	Meaning
$pH$	Blood pH	—	Typically 7.35-7.45
$HCO₃⁻$	Bicarbonate	—	mEq/L
$P_CO₂$	CO₂ partial pressure	—	mmHg

Normal: pH 7.4, HCO₃⁻ 24, P_CO₂ 40.

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Equation Universe

\text{pH} = 6.1 + \log\frac{[\text{HCO}_3^-]}{0.03 \times P_{\text{CO}_2}}

Real-world impact

Planetary stewardship

Dynamics equations inform sustainability.

Photo: Unsplash — forest ecosystem

Blood pH determined by bicarbonate and dissolved CO₂—critical acid-base balance.

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