In: Anatomy and Physiology
Write out and describe the dynamic equilibrium that occurs between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in your blood.
Carbon dioxide and bicarbonate works together as a buffer system. Buffer system in our body has an important role in maintaining optimum pH in our body and thus maintaining normal body functions.
In our blood also, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate buffer helps in maintaining optimum pH of blood.
General equation of chemical reaction occurring in blood are-
(Carbon dioxide)+ (water) ----> carbonic acid
Carbonic acid------> (bicarbonate ion) + (hydrogen ion)
when carbon dioxide level in blood increase- in this case, the excessive carbon dioxide in blood react with water to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid dissociate to form bicarbonate ion and hydrogen ion. Increased hydrogen ion will lead to decrease in pH of blood. This low pH is detected by various chemoreceptors and will induce increase in breathing rate so that excessive carbon dioxide could be removed from blood.
when carbon dioxide is less in blood- in this case, the above mentioned procedure works in opposite way. The blood pH is increased and it is sensed by chemoreceptors and this will lead to decrease in breathing rate. And finally carbon dioxide level comes back to normal.