Chapter 2, Problem 22P

Interpretation Introduction

To discuss:

The effect on blood pH if cellular metabolism produced a sudden burst of carbon dioxide.

Introduction:

Buffer system in blood plasma is represented as follows:

  ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+ HCO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{-}}$

Gaseous CO₂ from lungs and tissues is dissolved in blood plasma and hydrated to form H₂CO₃ which is an acid. The process is explained as follows:

  $\begin{array}{l}{\text{CO}}_{\text{2(g)}}\rightleftharpoons {\text{CO}}_{\text{2(d)}}\left(\text{dissolved form}\right)\\ {\text{CO}}_{\text{2(d)}}\left(\text{dissolved form}\right){\text{+ H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}\\ {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}^{\text{+}}{\text{+ HCO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{-}}\end{array}$