Question

Control of Blood pH by respiratory rate.

A) The partial pressure of CO2 in the lungs can be varied rapidly by the rate and depth of breathing. For example, a common remedy to alleviate hiccups is to increase the concentration of CO2 in the lungs. This can be achieved by holding one’s breath, by very slow and shallow breathing (hypoventilation), or by breathing in and out of a paper bag. Under such conditions, pCO2 in the air space of the lungs rises above normal. Qualitatively explain the effect of these procedures on the blood pH.
B) A common practice of competitive short-distance runners is to breathe rapidly and deeply (hyperventilate) for about half a minute to remove CO2 from their lungs just before the race begins. Blood pH may rise to 7.60. Explain why the blood pH increases.
C) During a short-distance run, the muscles produce a large amount of lactic acid (CH2CH(OH)COOH; K2 = 1.38 × 10–4M) from their glucose stores. Why might hyperventilation before a dash be useful?

Answer 1

A) During this procedure ( hypoventilation ) The CO2 in the arterial blood vessels and the lungs increases and this drives the PH level in the system lower, and the equilibrium will shift to the right. this is because the Blood-PH level is controlled by CO2 - bicarbonate buffer system

B) The blood PH may rise to 7.60 during Hyperventilation because the removal of CO2 from the lungs causes the increase in
`H^+` which is directly proportional to the increase in Blood PH levels

C) Hyper ventilation before a dash would be useful because it will remove excessive Hydrogen ions and and raise the Blood PH levels in preparedness of the production of acids like Lactic acid

Step-by-step explanation:

A) During this procedure ( hypoventilation ) The CO2 in the arterial blood vessels and the lungs increases and this drives the PH level in the system lower, and the equilibrium will shift to the right. this is because the Blood-PH level is controlled by CO2 - bicarbonate buffer system

`CO_(2) +H_(2) O` ⇄
`H^+ + HCO^-_(3)`

B) The blood PH may rise to 7.60 during Hyperventilation because the removal of CO2 from the lungs causes the increase in
`H^+` which is directly proportional to the increase in Blood PH levels

C) Hyper ventilation before a dash would be useful because it will remove excessive Hydrogen ions and and raise the Blood PH levels in preparedness of the production of acids like Lactic acid