Question

1. How does the respiratory system respond to acidosis? Alkalosis?

2. Why is the urinary system the best regulator of pH?

3. What is the difference between metabolic and respiratory acidosis?

Answer 1

1. How does the respiratory system respond to acidosis? Alkalosis?

Respiratory acidosis occurs as a result of hypoventilation. In hypoventilation, there is an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood which causes a decrease in the pH of the blood.

Respiratory alkalosis occurs as a result of hyperventilation. In hyperventilation, there is a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood which causes an increase in pH

Normally carbon dioxide produced is exhaled through lungs in hypoventilation there is accumulation of carbon dioxide results in increased paCO2 which is otherwise called hypercapnia. Normally carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid which exhales out through the lungs and there no accumulation,

Respiration is controlled by respiratory centres in the medulla of the brain stem, and ventilation is regulated by chemoreceptors, both central (widely distributed through the brainstem) and peripheral (carotid body and aortic bodies) This chemoreceptor provide feedback to regulate acidosis and alkalosis.

2. Why is the urinary system the best regulator of pH?

For normal bodily functions, the acid-base balance is very important. The urinary system respond to altered pH in two ways, one is the excretion of H+ ions and reabsorption of bicarbonate ions.

Excretion of H+ ions: Hydrogen ion is excreted in the form of dihydrogen phosphate ammonia. This excretion of hydrogen ions increases blood pH

Reabsorption of bicarbonate ions.: Reabsorption takes place in the proximal convoluted tubule.

3. What is the difference between metabolic and respiratory acidosis?

During the process of respiration when the lung fails to remove excess carbon dioxide from the blood results in decreased pH and results in respiratory acidosis. When the urinary system and digestive system fails to break down and maintain the proper level of acid in the blood is known as metabolic acidosis

In metabolic acidosis there is

• 1.. pH lowered.
• 2. Bicarbonate deficit.
• 3. Urinary pH-acidic.
• 4. Decrease in [H2CO3].

In  Respiratory Acidosis there is

• 1. Carbonic acid excess.
• 2. pH lowered.
• 3. There is, increased ammonia formation.
• 4. Urinary pH-acidic.