Question

write 2 paragraphs to compare and contrast metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 1

In the body the cells take O2 and release CO2, this CO2 is converted to carbonic acid (H2CO3) by combining with water. This carbonic acid is now broken down into H+(proton) and HCO3- (bicarbonate)

CO2 + H2O    H2CO3   H+ + HCO3-

These H+ and HCO3- are maintained at equilibrium level to maintain a normal pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. If the imbalance occur between these they result in acidosis and alkalosis.

Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the blood pH is found lower than 7.35. This low pH is a result of excess acid production in body and the kidneys inability to excrete that excess acid. Along with these the excretion of base bicarbonate (HCO3-) might result in acidosis.

• Increased H+
• Decreased HCO3-
• Low pCO2
• Blood is acidic

It can be compensated by excreting excess acid by kidneys and removing acids in form of CO2 by lung exhalation.

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which the blood pH is found higher than 7.45. This low pH is a result of excess production of base and decreased acid excretion from body.

• Increased HCO3-
• High pCO2
• Blood is basic

It can be compensated by decreasing respiratory rate that decrease formation of bicarbonate (HCO3- this is basic) and by removing the excess bicarbonate by kidney.