Question

Problem 2 Acidosis, a condition in which serum pH is lower than normal occurs in patients with renal failure, with serum pH falling below 7.35. Contrarily severe vomiting and dehydration can cause alkalosis, a) Plot the curves of hemoglobin oxygen saturation for patients in conditions of acidosis and b) In alkalosis is oxygen released more or less efficiently to the tissues? What is the effect of c) The response to mild acidosis (between pH 7.15 and 7.35) is a complex process involving a condition in which serum pH is higher than normal (7.45 or higher). alkalosis, and compare it to the one in normal conditions. acidosis instead on hemoglobin in the lungs? bod presurc and wegpiration aic lowever. an efetive componecatof this response, significantly contributing in rectifying the situation, result in an increase in the breathing rate. Explain how this phenomenon is efficient in controlling mild acidosis. d) An additional rapid response to severe metabolic acidosis play a major at or below pH 7.14 instead, related to the direct action of H2COs Explain why H:COs can help protecting from severe acidosis.

Answer 1

a. Oxygen- hemoglobin dissociation curve

Blue indicates alkalosis (increased pH)

Red indicates normal pH

Yellow indicates acidosis (decreased pH)

b. In alkalosis (increased pH) is oxygen released more or less efficiently to the tissues?

According to Bohr, If the pH of the tissues should rise due to a drop in the carbon dioxide concentration, then less oxygen will be delivered to the tissues.

what is the effect of acidosis instead of haemoglobin in the lungs?

The pH of blood will become lower due to excess of CO2 in acidosis. Respiratory acidosis can occur in case of respiratory failure or ventilatory failure.

The human lungs have greater pH than the other tissues, hence the blood has to release oxygen creating haemoglobin in its t-state. Blood picks up more oxygen from the lungs where pH is higher.

c.

Human the body uses specific mechanisms to compensate for the excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream/ acidosis/ increased pH. As a compensatory mechanism to reduce CO2, the breathing rate and breathing volume increase, the blood pressure increases, the heart rate increases, and kidney bicarbonate production occur.

Mild acidosis will be compensated by this mechanism, as the excess CO2 can be removed by increased respiratory rate.

d.

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces the excess of acid or the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body, the blood pH will be low.

The bicarbonate buffer system helps in severe metabolic acidosis by dissociating the H2CO3 to H2O and CO2.