Question

QUESTION

Subject A consumed ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and subject B consumed bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).

a) Using a flow chart of the negative feedback loops involved, (for subject A) explain the implications of ingesting ammonium chloride on the human body.

Include the initial changes in the pH and bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) of the plasma and the response of the kidney to these changes in terms of increases or decreases of:

• reabsorption of HCO₃^-
• regeneration of HCO₃^-
• excretion of HCO₃^-
• excretion of buffer-bound H⁺
• pH of the urine  

b) repeat part (a) for subject B

Thank you! :)

Answer 1

Answer :)

Ammonium chloride releases acidic components when dissolves in water. As it moves to the gut, it increases the acidic environment. In the gut, it releases NH4+ and Cl- ions. Due to increased acidic content, the pH of the blood starts to decrease. The central chemoreceptors sense the changes and initiate the adaptive response. It increases ammoniagenesis, ET-1, and RAAS production. In effect, NHE3, H+ATPase, and H+, K+Atpase up-regulate. Moreover, tubular hypertrophy and ammonium excretion are increased. This causes increased acid excretion per nephron, which in effect decreases acid retention.

The intake of NaHCO3 increases the basic nature of pH. The respiratory centers are depressed and in response initiate hypoventilation. On the other hand, in the response by chemoreceptors, HCO3- ions are started to release through urine and H+ ions reabsorption increased. As the pH maintains, the homeostasis stops.