PIysiology.

Loncepts
And
clinical
Applicatlons, 16th Editionn
319

EXERCISE

Respiration and
Acid-Base Balance 8.4
MATERIALS

1. pH meter, droppers, beakers, straws

2. Buffer. pH = 7 (made from purchased con-

centrate): concentrated HCI

OClinical Investigation
3. Concentrated NaOH
Blood gas
4. Phenolphthalein solution (saturated) measurements taken on a patlent with
are
5. A virtual lab is available using Physiology
a
history of chronic obstructive
(COPD). Measured values pulmonary disease
Lab Simulations (Ph.l.L.S.); Respiration 50 mmHg, a include an arterial
(exercises 7, 8, 9, and 10) bicarbonate concentration of Pco, of 24
and a blood pH of 7.30. mEa/L.
.Explain the significance of each
Carbon diowide in plasma can combine with water to measurements. of these
produce carbonic acid, which in turn dissociates to pro- Explain how the blood gas measurements
duce protons (H') and bicarbonate ions (HCOg). Ventila- relate to this patient's medical history.
tion regulates the carbon dioxide concentration of the
plasma and has an important role in acid-base balance.

LEARNING OUTcOMES entilation has two different but related functions: (1) oxy-
You should be able to: genation of the blood, accomplished by bringing new air into
the alveoli during the inhalation phase, and (2) elimination of
1. Describe the pH scale, and define the terms acid
carbon dioxide from the blood, accomplished by the diffusion of
and base.
CO, from the blood into the alveoli and the extrusion of this C0
2.Explain how carbonic acid and bicarbonate are
by exhalation. The first function serves to maintain aerobic cell
formed in the blood, and describe their functions.
3. Define the terms acidosis and alkalosis, and respiration; the second serves to maintain the normal pH of the
explain
how these conditions relate to hypoventilation and blood.
hyperventilation. The pH (see appendix 1) indicates the concentration of
4. Explain how ventilation is adjusted H* (hydrogen ion) in a solution and is defined by the following
to help maintain
acid-base balance. formula:
pH = log
[H*]
in
where Ht is the concentration of H in moles (atomic weight
Textbook/Multimedia grams) per liter. Some water molecules ionize to produce equal
Correlations amounts of Ht and OH (hydroxyl ion).
In pure water, the H*
has an atomic
concentration is 10 moles/L. (Because hydrogen
Before g/L.) This is equal to a pH of
performin this exercise, you should study the weight of 1, this is the same
as
10
OOUctory material presented here. Further information solution. An acidic solution has a higher
7.0 and is called a neutral
relating
h i s exercise can be found in these sections Ht concentration and a
lower pH; a basic solution has a lower
(table 8.5).
and Krista nysiology,
Rompolsksi: sixteenth edition, by
Stuart Ira Fox Ht concentration and a higher pH free H* to a solution
molecule that can donate
An acid is a
formed from the combi
Carbonic acid (H,CO,) is
l i o n of Breathing. Chapter 16, section 16.5. and lower its pH. blood cells. This reaction is
water within the red
Carbon Dioxide Transpo Chapter 16, nation of C0, and
carbonic anhydrase (fig. 8.21).
called
section 16.7. catalyzed by an enzyme
d-Base Balance of the Blood. Chapter 16, carboni anhydrase H,CO, |
section 16.8. CO, + H,o
can immediately dis-
ntilation During Exercise. Chapter 16,
section 16.9. Some of the
carbonic acid formed

and bicarbonate ion

(HCOJ). The Ht derived
sociate to yield H
319
 Human Pnysiol9y
320

A. ABILITY OF BUFFERS TO STABILIZE

Table 8.5 The pH Scale THE PH OF SOLUTIONS
OH
Concentration
Plasma has a particular concentration ofbicarbonate as a.
H Concentratlon
of the dissociation of carbonic acid. Bicarbonate result
(Molar) pH (Moler) serves
1.0 10-14 major bufer of the blood, helping to stabilize the pH of plas
01 10-13
despite the continuous influx of H from molecules of lae
acid, fatty acids, ketone bodies, and other metabolic
0.01 10-12

The Ht released by these acids is prevented from

producta
Aclds 0.001 10- lowering th
blood pH because it is combined with bicarbonate.
0.0001 1010
new acid molecule (carbonic acid) is formed, this
Althougha
105 10- reaction nre
vents a rise in the free H* concentration (fig. 8.21).
10 10-
Neutral 10-7 10-7
10-8 106 HHCO H,CO0,
10 105
10-10 10 O.0001 Carbonic acid formed in this way can provide a
Bases source of
10 11 .001 new Ht if the blood pH should begin to rise
(from a loss of blood
10-12 2 0.01 Ht)beyond normal levels. The carbonic acid/bicarbonate
10-13
13 0.1 system helps to stabilize the blood pH under normal
buffer
10-4 Disease states, however, may cause the blood
conditions
14 1.0 pH to fall below
7.35 or to rise above 7.45. These conditions are
called acidosis and
from carbonic acid and other acids in the blood
alkalosis, respectively.
gives normal
arterial blood a pH of
7.40
+0.05 (table 8.6 and fig. 8.21).

H,CO HCO + H*

Tissue cells
Capillary

Red blood cells

co2+H20
Hemoglobin
H2CO3
t HCO3
Plasma
pH 740 H
HT HcO3 as buffer resenve

Nonvolatile Anion + HT+HCO

(metabolic) acid Hco3
Bicarbonate
buffer

Figure 8.21 Maintenance of acid-base balance. Carbon dioxide

bicarbonate (HCO;) to the plasma. The bicarbonate released produced by tissue cells forms and
carbonic acid, which adds
from red blood cells buffers Do
(nonvolatile) acids, such as lactic acid and ketone bodies. the Ht produced by ionization ol met
(For a full-color version of this figure, see tig. 16.40 in Fuman
Pnysiology, sixteenth edition, by Stuart Ira
Fox and Krista
Rompotski.)
320
 nd
Cinic.ai
Applicatons, 16
8.6 TheEffect of Editon
7sble

Pro,(mmhHo H,CO, (mEq/L

Respiration on Blood pH
0.6
HCO (mEqy
0.9 24
0
1.2 24 HCO,
Ratlo H,cO,
40/1
1.5 24 Blood pH
26.7/1 9.70
0 1.8 24
20n 753
Condition
24
16/1 740
Pospirat3ry adkains
concentration's sre commonly measured In mil
Ponciratory qlkalosis
o fc h a r g e s mil leguvalents (mEq) per iter. IhiS
13.3/1 130 Namai
measurement is equal to
722 aepiratary arinsis
the
miflmolar Raspiratory ardosia
concenttion gt the ion
Normally. the rate of ventilation is matched to mutipied ay
the tissues,
ction by that the carbonic the rate of ts
amizer
(O.proc

te. and H ations in the

blood remain within acid, bicarborn- 80- Hypoventilation
the nor-
mal rang ifhypoventilat however,occu
the carbonic
erels
rise above normal and the
pH will fall below 7.35. acid 70
dition is called respiratory acidosis (table 8.6). This
on,
conversely, Causes an abnormal decrease Hyperventila
in carbonic
60
andaa Corresponding rise in blood pH. This condition is acid
50
respiratory alkalosis.
Thus, respiratory acidosis or alkalosis called occurs
the blood CO, level (as measured by its Normal
when
pressure or
millimeters of mercury) is different from the normal
in
partial 8 40 vertilation
mmHe) as a result of abnormal breathing patterns (fig, value co :2
8.22). 30
20
Procedure Hyperventilation
10
1.Allow the pH meter to warm upby setting the selector
Switch to the standby position. Be sure that the pH
electrodes are immersed in buffer and
are not allowed to 2
dry. Verify that the
temperature selector switch is set at Total minute volume (Limin)
the current room
temperature. Figure 8.22
The relationship between total minute
Turn the selector switch to volume and
pH and take a reading of the arterial Pco, These are inversely related. When
the total minute
buffer. Use the calibration knob to set the pH meter to the volume increases by a factor of 2. the arterial
coTrect pH of the buffer Pco, decreases by
(7.000). Now, turn the selector half. The total minute volume measures breathing and is
equal to
Switch back to the standby
position and transfer the pH the amount of air in each breath (the tidal volume) multiplied by
ciectrodes t0 a beaker
containing 50 mL of distilled water. the number of breaths per minute. The Pco, measures the CO%
urn the selector switch to
pH and record the pH of concentration of arterial blood plasma.
aIstilled water. Return the
selector switch to the standby (For a full-color version of this figure, see fig. 16.27 in Human Phyauioiogy
pOSition and the sixteenth edition, by Stuart Ira Fox and Krista Rompolski.)

Ad one
electrodes back to the buffer.
drop of concentrated 5. Add one drop of concentrated HCT to a beaker containing
the beaker of
hydrochloric acid (HCI) to standard bufler solution (pth = 7.000)
distilled
water and mix
thoroughly. Transter
e
ciectrodes NaOH to tresh beaker of
this solution, turn the selector
to 6. Add one drop of concentrated a

ne p swilch l10 standard bulfer solution (pH 7.000).

position,
-

and record the pH of the solution in your

laboratory report 7. Add three drops of
concentrated HCT to a beaker of fresh
7,000).
Note: After recordingt standard buflersolution (pt
Selector switch to pH of a solution, always turn the Add three drops of
concentrated NaOH to a beaker of
8.
water to rinse
the
standby and usesqueeze bottle ofdistlled
by fresh standard buffer
solution (pfi 7,.000). =

with li electrode thoroughl Wipe the electrodes

ne-ree
the pH of paper and return themito the buffer solution. Check ON
the buffer B. EFFECT OF ENERCISE
Sure you solution after the cleaning procedure to be RATE OF CO2
PRODUCTION

have THE
dequatelycleaned thee electrodes. during exercise results
in an
4 Add Increased muscle
metabolism
and pH
one drop of
concentra NaOH to fresh beaker a
in cO, production.
Despite this, the CO,
levels

COnt
the
ai
nningg50 mL of distilled water, and record the pit o
increase
blood do not
normaly change
significantly during
water before and after addingthe NaOH. of arterial
321
 H u m e n P h y s i o l o g y

322

DIOXIDE IN E
ROLE OF CARBON
production
C.
REGULATION OF VENTILATION

rate of CO,

This is
because
the
increased

of its
elimination
through
concentration of the blood reflects a hal
alance
exercise. the rate dioxide
increase in hyperpnea
by an for exercise The carbon (by robic cell respiration
aero
is
matched
mechanisms
responsible understood.
the rate of its production
through the lungs. When
The incompletely between
a perso
complex and
ventilation.
elimination
are of its
(increased
breathing) and the rate
his or her
breath for a sufficiently lona time,
holds
consciously
level rises (and the pH falls)
to such an xtent
thecarbon dioxide
occurs.
Remember that the chemorecento
Clinical Applications that reflex breathing
is usually by rise in blood co
stimulated a
control of breathing a decrease in blood
retention of car-
and consequent fall in pH, rather than by
Hypoventilation
results in the
accumulation
It is the fall in blood pH
that stimulates the peripheral chemore.
excessive
in CSF and brain
bon dioxide and in the
fall in blood and carotid bodies) and the fall
acid: this produces
a ceptors (aortic
of carbonic
acidosis. Hyperventila interstitial fluid pH that stimulates the chemoreceptors in the
called respiratory
pH elimination of CO2, medulla oblongata.
excessive
tion results in the During hyperventilation, conversely, the arterial CO0,
and a rise in pH causing
lowered carbonic acid,
This differs from
alkalosis.
the nor- falls and blood pH rises. As a result, the chemoreceptor drive
respiratory
total minute volume) to breathe is inhibited. When breathing is reduced, the blood
mal hyperpnea (increased
increased
exercise, where
that occurs during CO is allowed to rise until it reaches the level where it will again
production so
increased CO2
respiration matches stimulate breathing.
and pH remain in the
that the arterial CO2 levels
normal range.
Procedure
. Count the number of breaths you take in I minute of
relaxed, unforced breathing. Enter this number in your
Procedure laboratory report.
. Fill a beaker with 200 mL of distilled water and add 5.0 2. Force yourself to hyperventilate for about 10 seconds
mL of 0.10N NaOH and a few drops of phenolphthalein stop if you begin to feel dizzy.
indicator. This indicator is pink in alkaline solutions and
3. Immediately after hyperventilation. count the number
clear in neutral or acidie solutions. Divide this solution
into two beakers. of breaths you take in one minute of relaxed, unforced

While sitting quietly, exhale through a glass tube or straw breathing.

(or double straws) into the solution in the first beaker.
Carefully record the time required to turn the solution
from pink to ciear in your laboratory
report.
3 Exercise vigorously for two to five minutes
by
up and down stairs or by doing
running
jumping jacks. Exhale
through a glass tube or straw (or double
straws) into
the second beaker, and
again record the time it takes to
clear the pink solution.