Question

A behavioral physiologist is studying the homeostatic control of blood pH. In a trial, a lizard runs on a treadmill for a set amount of time and the blood pH is measured. The blood pH drops as carbon dioxide is released into the bloodstream. Which component of the homeostatic feedback system is responsible for deciding if the blood pH is far enough from normal that a response is necessary?

Answer 1

Answer: Negative feedback mechanism

Explanation:

This is a feedback loop in which the product of a reaction leads to a decrease in that reaction. This feedback loop moves a system closer to the target of equilibrium or homeostasis.

It ensures stability of a system and maintenance of a steady and stable state.

Generally, in negative feedback loop; the response of the regulatory mechanisms ( low pH levels in this scenario) is opposite to the output (increase C02) of the event..

Therefore In this particular scenario, the lizard moves quickly on the treadmill, and therefore its rates of cellular respiration increases with liberation of C02, from its muscles and tissues to the blood streams this release more H+ to the blood stream, as bicarbonate ions(which accounts for 70% of blood C02 transport) with a drop in pH.

Therefore, as the product of the reaction increase, (that as elevated C02), the hydrogen ion concentration of the blood increases and this leads to acidosis with drop in pH. This disturbed the homeostatic pH levels of its blood for a drop in the activity for immediate response.