Final answer:
When the body is in metabolic alkalosis, the lungs decrease the respiratory rate to conserve CO2 and increase the amount of CO2 in the blood. This helps to readjust the bicarbonate to carbonic acid ratio.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lungs respond to metabolic alkalosis by decreasing the respiratory rate to conserve carbon dioxide (CO2). This helps to increase the amount of CO2 in the blood and readjust the bicarbonate to carbonic acid ratio. However, the respiratory system's response to elevated pH is limited and not as efficient as its compensation for acidosis.