- Joined
- Feb 19, 2015
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 3
Which of the following could NOT explain a patient who presents with a blood pH of 7.0?
A.
Anaerobic respiration leading to lactic acid buildup
B.
Hypoventilation
C.
Carbonic anhydrase working only in the reverse direction
D.
Underproduction of bicarbonate
Answer is C.
This is confusing me a bit. I get why carbonic anhydrase working in reverse wouldn't lower the pH...less H+ produced means higher pH. But doesn't underproduction of bicarb basically have the same outcome?
CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3 --> HCO3- + H+
Since H+ and bicarb are made in the same reaction, wouldn't less bicarb mean less H+ and higher pH too? Is this just a case of C being the best choice as opposed to the only choice?
A.
Anaerobic respiration leading to lactic acid buildup
B.
Hypoventilation
C.
Carbonic anhydrase working only in the reverse direction
D.
Underproduction of bicarbonate
Answer is C.
This is confusing me a bit. I get why carbonic anhydrase working in reverse wouldn't lower the pH...less H+ produced means higher pH. But doesn't underproduction of bicarb basically have the same outcome?
CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3 --> HCO3- + H+
Since H+ and bicarb are made in the same reaction, wouldn't less bicarb mean less H+ and higher pH too? Is this just a case of C being the best choice as opposed to the only choice?