Respiratory Compensation

Question 1

Respiratory compensation is a change in

Answer 1

The respiratory rate that helps stabilize the pH of the ECF. It takes place whenever body pH Strays outside normal limits.

Question 2

How does respiratory compensation effect the carbonic acid bicarbonate buffer system

Answer 2

1. Increasing or decreasing the rate of respiration alters pH by decreasing or increasing the PCO2.
2. When the PCO2 increases, the pH decreases, because the addition of CO2 drives the carbonic acid bicarbonate buffer system to the right.
3. When the PCO2 decreases, the pH increases because the removal of CO2 drives that buffer system to the left.

Question 3

What receptors monitor the PCO2

Answer 3

Chemoreceptors of the carotid and aortic bodies are sensitive to the PCO2 of circulating blood.
Other receptors, located on ventrolateral surfaces of the medulla oblongata, monitor the P CO2 of the cerebral spinal fluid

Question 4

A rise in PCO2 stimulates the chemo receptors leading to

Answer 4

An increase in the respiratory rate. More CO2 is lost at the Lungs. So the PCO2 returns to normal levels

Question 5

When the PCO2 of the blood or cerebral spinal fluid decreases, the chemo receptors are inhibited

Answer 5

Respiratory activity becomes depressed and the breathing rate decreases, causing an elevation of the PCO2 in the ECF.