Question

Writing Prompt:

Write a paragraph of the required length on how the bicarbonate system maintains homeostasis in the blood system. In your paragraph address the issues rasied in the Guidance for Writing Your Text. Remember, however, that you are writing an essay, not just answering a list of questions.

Guidance for Writing Your Text:

In studying the resources and writing your text consider the issues raised by the following questions: What is homeostasis? What is acidosis? What is a buffer and how does it work? What equilibrium reactions are involved in the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer system? What are the metabolic and physiological processes that increase the concentration of protons and carbon dioxide in the blood during exercise? How does the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer system respond to the stress? What other pathways does the body use to remove excess protons, carbon dioxide or bicarbonate from the blood, and what effect do each of these pathways have on the pH of the blood?

Answer 1

Q1

homeostasis --> tendency/phenomena in which living organism tend to recover the equilbirium via counterbalances

Q2

acidosis --> condition in which excess acidity is present, specially in the stomach

Q3

A buffer is any type of substance that will resist pH change when H+ or OH- is added.

This is typically achieved with equilibrium equations. Both type of buffer will resist both type of additions.

When a weak acid and its conjugate base are added, they will form a buffer

The equations:

The Weak acid equilibrium:

HA(aq) <-> H+(aq) + A-(aq)

Weak acid = HA(aq)

Conjugate base = A-(aq)

Neutralization of H+ ions:

A-(aq) + H+(aq) <-> HA(aq); in this case, HA is formed, H+ is neutralized as well as A-, the conjugate

Neutralization of OH- ions:

HA(aq) + OH-(aq) <-> H2O(l) + A-(aq) ; in this case; A- is formed, OH- is neutralized as well as HA.

Q4

equilbiriumsare:

H2CO3 <-> HCO3- + H+

Q5

common "combustion" or "burning" of energy in the body , mainly from carbs/fats

produces CO2 gas, which goes into solution in blood, then forms cabroni acid

H2O + CO2 = H2CO3

this is an acid, H2CO3 can donate h+ to increase acidity

Q6

How does the carbonic acid/bicarbonate buffer system respond to the stress?

if H+ is added,H2CO3- forms H2CO3

if bases are added, H2CO3 + OH- = h2O + HCO- forms