During physical exercise a lot of Carbon Dioxide is found in the muscles in the form of Carbonic
acid.
These Carbonic acid levels that are high is very dangerous to the body.
Describe step by step how the body copes with these high levels.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. During physical exercise, the muscles produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct of energy production. This carbon dioxide is transported through the blood to the lungs.
2. In the blood, carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is a weak acid.
3. The high levels of carbonic acid in the muscles can lead to a decrease in pH, creating an acidic environment. This can interfere with muscle function and lead to fatigue.
4. To cope with these high levels of carbonic acid, the body increases its ventilation rate. This means that we breathe faster and deeper during exercise to bring in more oxygen and eliminate more carbon dioxide.
5. The increased breathing rate helps remove carbon dioxide from the body by exhaling it out of the lungs. This allows carbonic acid levels to decrease and pH levels to return to normal.
6. Additionally, the kidneys play a role in maintaining pH balance in the body. They excrete excess carbonic acid in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the urine, helping to further regulate pH levels.
Overall, the body copes with high levels of carbonic acid during exercise by increasing ventilation to remove it from the lungs and excreting it through the kidneys. This helps maintain pH balance and prevent the negative effects of elevated carbonic acid levels.