A patient presents with elevated levels of CO 2 in their blood. How does the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system respond to this increase in CO 2 ?

Question

A patient presents with elevated levels of CO 2  in their blood. How does the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system respond to this increase in CO 2 ?

Accepted Answer

The buffer system converts more CO 2  into carbonic acid, which dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.

Answer

The balance of the buffer system will be tipped to increase the production of H +  ions; which will lead to alkalosis.

Answer

H +  ions will combine with carbonic acid to produce bicarbonate ions, causing the blood pH to decrease.

Answer

The buffer system removes bicarbonate ions by combining them with hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid.

Crowdly

A patient presents with elevated levels of CO 2 in their blood. How does the ca...

Want instant access to all verified answers on learning.monash.edu?