Question

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors cause less movement of carbonic acid toward carbon dioxide production and are used as a prophylactic treatment of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness occurs when a hiker ascends to altitudes where the density of oxygen is low. How does this decrease the symptoms of high altitude sickness?

A) The excess hydrogen ions are excreted in the urine and the resulting loss of acidity increases respiration rate.
B) The excess bicarbonate ions are excreted in the urine and the resulting loss of blood pressure increases respiration rate.
C) The excess bicarbonate ions are excreted in the urine and the resulting increase in blood acidity leads to an increase in ventilation.
D) The excess bicarbonate ions in the blood increase the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

Answer 1

The excess bicarbonate ions are excreted in the urine and the resulting increase in blood acidity leads to an increase in ventilation.

Step-by-step explanation: