Final answer:
Acidosis and alkalosis are conditions indicating deviation from normal blood pH, being respiratory or metabolic in origin. The lungs engage in respiratory compensation to correct metabolic imbalances by either increasing or decreasing the respiratory rate to adjust CO2 levels accordingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acidosis and alkalosis refer to conditions where the body’s pH is not within the normal range. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an excess of carbon dioxide (CO2) due to impaired gas exchange, resulting in a lower blood pH. Respiratory alkalosis takes place when CO2 levels drop too low, typically from hyperventilation, leading to a higher blood pH. Metabolic acidosis is due to the excess production of hydrogen ions or loss of bicarbonate (HCO3⁻), often from kidney disease, while metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is an excess of HCO3⁻ or a loss of hydrogen ions.
The lungs can correct metabolic acid/base imbalances via respiratory compensation. For metabolic acidosis, the respiratory rate increases to expel CO2, adjusting the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid. In the case of metabolic alkalosis, the respiratory rate decreases to retain CO2, but this mechanism is less efficient than its counterpart for acidosis.