Question

A common practice of competitive short-distance runners is to hyperventilate (breath rapidly and deeply) prior to a sprint. During the sprint, O2 cannot be transported to the muscles quickly enough to oxidize pyruvate, and metabolism in the muscles occurs anaerobically. a. hat would happen to the pH of the blood during hyperventilation and why? b. Write out the equations for the most dynamic component of the blood buffering system. C. During a sprint, lactic acid builds up as a byproduct of anaerobic respiration? If the concentration of carbonic acid (pKa-6.37) in the blood is 1mM, what would be the change in physiological pH if 0.08mM lactic acid is produced. For this problem, assume lactic acid is a strong acid (it's not really).

Answer 1

a. During hyper ventilation, the rate of removal of carbon dioxide from the blood is increased. As the pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood decreases, respiratory alkalosis, characterized by decreased acidity or increased alkalinity of the blood, ensues.

b.H^{+ _{(aq) + HCO}-}_(aq) $\leftrightharpoons$ H₂CO_{3(aq) $\leftrightharpoons$} H₂O_(I)+CO_2(g)

c.Sprinters build more lactic acid during sprinting. lactic acid is a by-product of the energy producing processes which predominate in high-intensity exercise, including sprints. At intensities below 50% of ones maximum oxygen consumption, lactic acid consumption, the lactic acid buildup is reduced. Lactic acid levels cause increased respiration, such as during and immediately after a sprint , the CO ₂ exhaled is a by product of body's neutralisation of the increased acidity. Anaerobic conditioning can raise one's lactic acid removal - the removal process occur during and after the workout.