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What do the lungs do in response to metabolic alkalosis?

a. Hyperventilate (increase respiratory rate)
b. Hypoventilate (decrease respiratory rate)
c. Maintain normal ventilation
d. Switch to anaerobic respiration

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs hypoventilate (decrease respiratory rate) to conserve CO2. In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs may hypoventilate to increase blood CO2 levels and decrease pH, but the efficiency of this compensation is limited compared to acidosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs hypoventilate (decrease respiratory rate) to conserve CO2. This is the body's normal response to elevated pH. The respiratory system decreases the amount of CO2 in the blood by reducing the respiratory rate. However, there is a limit to the decrease in respiration that the body can tolerate.

In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs may hypoventilate to increase blood CO2 levels and decrease pH, but the efficiency of this compensation is limited compared to acidosis.

The lungs respond to metabolic alkalosis by potentially hypoventilating (decreasing the respiratory rate) in an attempt to conserve carbon dioxide (CO2), which increases the acidity of the blood to counteract the elevated pH associated with alkalosis. However, there is a limit to how much the respiratory rate can decrease without compromising the body's need for oxygen. Thus, the respiratory system's ability to compensate for metabolic alkalosis is less efficient compared to its compensation for acidosis. In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs hypoventilate (decrease respiratory rate) to conserve CO2. In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs may hypoventilate to increase blood CO2 levels and decrease pH, but the efficiency of this compensation is limited compared to acidosis. In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs hypoventilate (decrease respiratory rate) to conserve CO2. This is the body's normal response to elevated pH. The respiratory system decreases the amount of CO2 in the blood by reducing the respiratory rate. However, there is a limit to the decrease in respiration that the body can tolerate. In response to metabolic alkalosis, the lungs may hypoventilate to increase blood CO2 levels and decrease pH, but the efficiency of this compensation is limited compared to acidosis.

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