Biochemistry : pH Regulation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

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Example Question #21 : P H Regulation

If a patient's lab values from the doctor's office show a blood plasma pH of 7.1, which of the following could be the correct diagnosis?

Possible Answers:

Respiratory acidosis

Metabolic alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis 

The results show normal blood plasma pH.

Correct answer:

Respiratory acidosis

Explanation:

Normal blood pH is 7.4. A decrease in pH could indicate acidosis, which is associated with too much  in the blood. Respiratory acidosis occurs as the result of the lungs failing to eliminate enough .

Example Question #22 : P H Regulation

What is the  concentration in an  solution with a pH of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Here is the equation needed to find the correct answer to this question.

Example Question #41 : Homeostasis And The Biological Environment

If a patient's blood becomes acidic, which of the following will occur?

Possible Answers:

The patient will hypoventilate

Nothing will happen to the patient, as it is normal for the plasma to be acidic

The patient will hyperventilate

The patient's breathing will remain unchanged

Carbon dioxide levels in the patient's plasma will initially decrease

Correct answer:

The patient will hyperventilate

Explanation:

The pH of plasma is regulated by the following equilibria: 

According to Le Chatlier's Principle, when the concentration of protons increases (plasma becomes acidic) the equilibrium shift will be to the left of the equation. Therefore, there will be an initial increase of carbon dioxide. However, the body needs to rid itself of the excess carbon dioxide. This happens via hyperventilation - the increased breathing out of carbon dioxide.

Example Question #24 : P H Regulation

The bicarbonate buffer system used by the human body is crucial for maintaining physiological pH. The carbonic acid and bicarbonate are the conjugate acid-base pair involved.

Why would would hyperventilation cause blood pH to change? Would it increase or decrease?

Possible Answers:

This causes a  increase in the lungs, resulting in an increase of  in the blood and an decrease blood pH.

This causes a  decrease in the lungs, resulting in an decrease of  in the blood and an increase blood pH.

This causes a  decrease in the lungs, resulting in an increase of  in the blood and an increase blood pH.

This causes a  increase in the lungs, resulting in an increase of  in the blood and an increase blood pH.

This causes a  increase in the lungs, resulting in an decrease of  in the blood and an increase blood pH.

Correct answer:

This causes a  decrease in the lungs, resulting in an decrease of  in the blood and an increase blood pH.

Explanation:

Less carbon dioxide in the lungs from the constant exhalation will cause the decrease in the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood, resulting in a rise in pH.

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