This document discusses acid-base balance and the anion gap. It contains the following key points:
1. The body strives for electrical neutrality by balancing cations and anions in the blood, and closely regulates hydrogen ion concentration.
2. The kidney plays an important role in regulating blood pH through reabsorption of bicarbonate and secretion of acids like ammonium and phosphate to balance the 4000 mmol of bicarbonate filtered daily.
3. Mixed acid-base disorders can be identified by calculating the bicarbonate gap, which should be zero for a single disorder but will vary if two disorders are present. This provides insight into the underlying condition(s).