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Magazine Chapter 14: Problem 6
Of the two members of the \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}: \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-}\) buffer system, __________ is regulated by the lungs and __________ is regulated by the kidneys.
Short Answer
Expert verified
ewline \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \) is regulated by the lungs and \( \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-} \) is regulated by the kidneys.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Buffer System
The buffer system in question is \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}: \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-} \). This system consists of carbonic acid (\( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \)) and bicarbonate ion (\( \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-} \)).
02
Understand How the Lungs Regulate
The lungs help regulate \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \) levels through the process of respiration. By increasing or decreasing the rate of breathing, the lungs control the amount of \( \mathrm{CO}_{2} \). Since \( \mathrm{CO}_{2} \) combines with water to form \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \), the lungs directly affect the level of \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \).
03
Understand How the Kidneys Regulate
The kidneys regulate the \( \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-} \) levels by either reabsorbing it or excreting it in urine. This adjustment helps maintain the acid-base balance in the body.
04
Determine What is Regulated by Each Organ
From the understanding that \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3} \) is regulated by the lungs and \( \mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-} \) is regulated by the kidneys, fill in the blanks accordingly.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Buffer System
The buffer system in our body plays a crucial role in maintaining the acid-base balance. Buffers are substances that can neutralize both acids and bases, thereby keeping the pH of our blood within a narrow range. The specific buffer system in this exercise is the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system, represented as \( \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}} : \mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}} \). This system includes two components:
- Carbonic Acid (\mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}}): A weak acid that forms when carbon dioxide (\mathrm{CO_{2}}) dissolves in water.
- Bicarbonate Ion (\mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}}): A base that can neutralize acids present in the blood.
Kidney Function
The kidneys are vital for maintaining acid-base balance by regulating the levels of bicarbonate ions \( \mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}} \). They can either reabsorb bicarbonate ions back into the bloodstream or excrete them in urine, depending entirely on the body's needs. This process ensures that the blood pH stays within a healthy range, preventing conditions like acidosis or alkalosis. Here's how it works:
- Reabsorption: When the blood is too acidic, the kidneys reabsorb more bicarbonate ions to neutralize excess hydrogen ions.
- Excretion: When the blood is too alkaline, the kidneys excrete bicarbonate ions to remove excess base.
Lung Function
The lungs play a key role in regulating carbonic acid \( \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}} \) levels in the blood. This regulation is achieved through the process of respiration. Let's break it down:
- Carbon Dioxide Removal: When we exhale, we release carbon dioxide \( \mathrm{CO_{2}} \). Since \mathrm{CO_{2}} can combine with water to form carbonic acid, exhaling \mathrm{CO_{2}} helps lower the \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}} levels in the blood.
- Breathing Rate Adjustment: By increasing the rate of breathing (hyperventilation), the lungs expel more carbon dioxide, thus reducing \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}} levels. Conversely, by decreasing the rate of breathing (hypoventilation), the lungs retain more carbonic acid.
Carbonic Acid
Carbonic acid \( \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3}} \) is a weak acid formed when carbon dioxide gas dissolves in water. It's a vital component of the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system. Here's a simplified reaction:
- \[ \mathrm{CO_{2} + H_{2}O \rightarrow H_{2}CO_{3}} \]
- \[ \mathrm{H_{2}CO_{3} \rightarrow H^{+} + HCO_{3}^{-}} \]
Bicarbonate Ion
Bicarbonate ion \( \mathrm{HCO_{3}^{-}} \) is the conjugate base of carbonic acid and a key component of the buffer system. It acts as a base that neutralizes excess acids in the blood, thus helping to maintain pH balance. Let's look at how it works:
- Neutralization: Bicarbonate ions combine with hydrogen ions \( \mathrm{H^{+}} \) to form carbonic acid, which can then be converted back into carbon dioxide and water.
- Excretion and Reabsorption: Through kidney function, bicarbonate ions are either reabsorbed into the bloodstream when the blood is too acidic or excreted when the blood is too alkaline.
