lecture 10 - central control of breathing

Question 1

What is hypercapnia?

Answer 1

Elevated CO2 levels in the blood

Question 2

What is the effect of hypoventilation on the pH of the blood?

Answer 2

Increases PaCO2 resulting in decreased pH - respiratory acidosis

Question 3

What is the effect of hyperventilation on the pH of the blood?

Answer 3

Decreased PaCO2 leads to increased pH - respiratory alkalosis

Question 4

What is respiratory acidosis?

Answer 4

Low pH of the blood caused by high PaCO2, which is caused by hypoventilation

Question 5

What is respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 5

High pH of the blood, caused by low PaCO2, often caused by hyperventilation

Question 6

Which organs work together to compensate for blood pH abnormalities?

Answer 6

Lungs, kidneys

Question 7

How do the kidneys compensate for a respiratory acidosis?

Answer 7

They excrete more H+ in the urine and synthesise extra HCO3

Question 8

How do the lungs compensate for a metabolic acidosis?

Answer 8

They exhale extra CO2, which drives the equilibrium to produce more CO2, reducing H+ levels in the blood