Altius Test 1 Question 7 Section 1

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fhussain9

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Can anyone explain to me why A is correct??

Hyperventilation occurs in response to respiratory acidosis because hyperventilation:
A) increases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
B) increases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations
C) decreases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
D) decreases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations

I thought the answer was B ://

This equation was given in the passage:

CO2 + H2O <----> H2CO3 <-----> HCO3- + H+

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The equation given is the bicarbonate buffer system for our blood.

When we hyperventilate, we expel a lot of CO2. CO2 is a reactant on the left-most side of that equation. To restore equilibrium, le chatelier's principle says that a left-shift will occur, which is away from H+ and raises blood pH.
 
Can anyone explain to me why A is correct??

Hyperventilation occurs in response to respiratory acidosis because hyperventilation:
A) increases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
B) increases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations
C) decreases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
D) decreases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations

I thought the answer was B ://

This equation was given in the passage:

CO2 + H2O <----> H2CO3 <-----> HCO3- + H+

If you see CO2 in your blood, looking at that equation, think CO2 = acid.

You breathe out too much, you lose more CO2 = lose that acid. Blood pH increases. Basic.
You don't breathe out enough, you have too much CO2 = too much acid. Blood pH decreases. Acidic.
 
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Can anyone explain to me why A is correct??

Hyperventilation occurs in response to respiratory acidosis because hyperventilation:
A) increases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
B) increases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations
C) decreases blood pH by decreasing CO2 concentrations
D) decreases blood pH by decreasing HCO3- concentrations

I thought the answer was B ://

This equation was given in the passage:

CO2 + H2O <----> H2CO3 <-----> HCO3- + H+
If you remove HCO3- the equation will shift to the right which will lead to a decreased pH.
 
It's asking for the immediate, proximal effect. The proximal effect of hyperventilation is expulsion of CO2, which then shifts the equilibrium to the right, which then causes a decrease in bicarb. The question is nitpicky but you should focus on the proximal effect instead of distal effects.
 
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