regulation of pH

Question 1

What is pH?

Answer 1

A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Question 2

What does pH stand for?

Answer 2

Potential of Hydrogen

Question 3

Why is pH important?

Answer 3

It affects biological and chemical processes

Question 4

What are blood pH levels affected by?

Answer 4

The concentration of hydrogen ions

Question 5

What happens to pH with more hydrogen ions?

Answer 5

pH decreases, making the solution more acidic

Question 6

What happens to pH with less hydrogen ions?

Answer 6

pH increases, making the solution more alkaline

Question 7

What is the key equation for pH regulation?

Answer 7

CO2 + H2O → H2CO3 → H+ + HCO3-

Question 8

What happens to pH when there is excess CO2 in the blood?

Answer 8

pH decreases due to the formation of carbonic acid

Question 9

What is hypercapnia?

Answer 9

Excess CO2 in the blood

Question 10

How does the respiratory system respond to hypercapnia?

Answer 10

By increasing the breathing rate

Question 11

What is hypocapnia?

Answer 11

Low levels of CO2 in the blood

Question 12

What effect does hypocapnia have on respiratory drive?

Answer 12

It suppresses the respiratory rate

Question 13

What is one method of pH regulation in the body?

Answer 13

Renal pH regulation