Metabolic acidosis is the decrease in blood pH that occurs when excessive amount

Question

Metabolic acidosis is the decrease in blood pH that occurs when excessive amounts of acidic substances are not removed from the blood. This can occur with prolonged physical exertion, diabetes, or restricted food intake. a) If H* in the blood increases, in which direction will the equilibrium for the preceding reactions shift? How will this shift affect CO2 levels? Explain. b) If breathing rate controls the amount of carbon dioxide exhaled as carbon dioxide gas, will breathing rate increase or decrease in metabolic acidosis in an attempt to return blood pH to appropriate levels? Explain

Explanation / Answer

a)

CO2(aq) + H2O(l) <-> H2CO3(aq)

H2CO3(aq) <--> HCO3- + H+

if H+ increases, then H2CO3 must increase

if this is true, then more CO2(aq) goes to solutino

therefore CO2(aq) in blood increases

b)

when we do exercise, we produce much more CO2(aq)

then

this must increase pH

since

CO2(aq) + H2O(l) -->  HCO3- + H+ (favoured)

The body must get rid of CO2(aq) via lung respiration -> CO2(aq) = CO2(g)

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