Final answer:
The body responds to chronic changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels by adjusting breathing and renal compensation mechanisms, such as increasing or decreasing breathing rates and altering bicarbonate levels, to maintain homeostasis and correct blood gases and pH balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the body experiences a chronic change in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, several physiological responses may occur to maintain homeostasis. If cells have an excess of carbon dioxide, a respiratory acidosis condition develops, leading to acidic blood due to an abundance of carbonic acid or CO2. The body will attempt to compensate for this by increasing the breathing rate to expel more CO2, and kidneys may increase the production of bicarbonate to buffer the acidity.
In the case of a respiratory alkalosis condition, where there's a deficiency of carbonic acid, causing the blood to become overly alkaline, the body may respond by reducing the breathing rate. This decrease helps retain carbon dioxide and normalize pH levels. Additionally, the renal system may excrete more bicarbonate to lower the blood's alkalinity.
If the lung's compliance decreases or resistance increases due to conditions such as fibrosis, asthma, or emphysema, breathing and gas exchange can become impaired. These alterations in ventilation and perfusion can lead to a V/Q mismatch, affecting the efficiency of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs. The body's response includes adapting breathing patterns and may require medical intervention to assist with the ventilation and oxygenation process.
Overall, the body's level of carbon dioxide is closely monitored through cells in the brain that modulate breathing rates via the autonomic nervous system. This mechanism ensures that both CO2 and oxygen levels, as well as pH, are kept within their normal limits. In the case of respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, the body employs compensatory mechanisms in both the respiratory and renal systems to correct the blood gases and pH balance.