look over at my children and they are seeing how long they can hold their breath compared to their sibling. As a physiologist, how would you explain the outcome of (consider changes in blood gas composition, bicarbonate buffering pathway) decreases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway decreases --> left shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway increases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
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### Understanding the Bicarbonate Buffering System During Breath-Holding

The text presents a scenario involving children comparing how long they can hold their breath. It poses a physiological question regarding changes in blood gas composition and the bicarbonate buffering pathway. This is crucial for understanding respiratory physiology.

**Question:**
How would a physiologist explain changes in the bicarbonate buffering system when comparing how long children can hold their breath?

**Answer Options:**

1. **PCO2 decreases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway**
2. **PCO2 decreases --> left shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway**
3. **PCO2 increases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway**
4. **PCO2 increases --> left shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway**

**Analysis:**
- **PCO2** refers to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. During breath-holding, the PCO2 typically increases because CO2 continues to be produced by the body but is not exhaled.
  
- The **bicarbonate buffering system** is a primary buffer in blood that helps maintain pH balance. It responds to changes in CO2 levels:
  - An increase in PCO2 tends to cause a **right shift** in the buffering pathway, leading to the production of more hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), which may lower the pH (more acidic).
  - Conversely, a decrease in PCO2 would cause a **left shift**, reducing hydrogen ion concentration and increasing pH (more alkaline).

**Correct Choice:**
Based on physiological principles, the correct outcome of increased PCO2 from breath-holding would likely be:
- **PCO2 increases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway**

This choice addresses how the body attempts to mitigate changes in acidity due to increased CO2 levels during prolonged breath-holding.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding the Bicarbonate Buffering System During Breath-Holding The text presents a scenario involving children comparing how long they can hold their breath. It poses a physiological question regarding changes in blood gas composition and the bicarbonate buffering pathway. This is crucial for understanding respiratory physiology. **Question:** How would a physiologist explain changes in the bicarbonate buffering system when comparing how long children can hold their breath? **Answer Options:** 1. **PCO2 decreases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway** 2. **PCO2 decreases --> left shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway** 3. **PCO2 increases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway** 4. **PCO2 increases --> left shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway** **Analysis:** - **PCO2** refers to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. During breath-holding, the PCO2 typically increases because CO2 continues to be produced by the body but is not exhaled. - The **bicarbonate buffering system** is a primary buffer in blood that helps maintain pH balance. It responds to changes in CO2 levels: - An increase in PCO2 tends to cause a **right shift** in the buffering pathway, leading to the production of more hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), which may lower the pH (more acidic). - Conversely, a decrease in PCO2 would cause a **left shift**, reducing hydrogen ion concentration and increasing pH (more alkaline). **Correct Choice:** Based on physiological principles, the correct outcome of increased PCO2 from breath-holding would likely be: - **PCO2 increases --> right shift in the bicarbonate buffering pathway** This choice addresses how the body attempts to mitigate changes in acidity due to increased CO2 levels during prolonged breath-holding.
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