1. What provides the shortest-term mechanism for preventing acid-base imbalances in the body? The longest-term machanism?
I am really stuck on this one....is it the renal and repsiratory compensations????
Thanks in advance for the help!
Yes, you are on the right track! The shortest-term mechanism for preventing acid-base imbalances in the body is the respiratory compensation, while the longest-term mechanism is the renal compensation.
Respiratory compensation occurs through changes in the rate and depth of breathing. When there is an increase in the acidity of the blood (acidemia), the respiratory system responds by increasing the rate and depth of breathing. This causes carbon dioxide (CO2), which is acidic when dissolved in the blood, to be exhaled more rapidly, thereby reducing the acidity of the blood. On the other hand, if the blood becomes too alkaline (alkalemia), the respiratory system decreases the rate and depth of breathing to retain more CO2 and increase the acidity of the blood.
Renal compensation, performed by the kidneys, takes a longer time to regulate acid-base balance but is much more effective in the long run. The kidneys regulate the reabsorption and excretion of acids and bases to maintain blood pH. If the blood becomes acidic, the kidneys can excrete more hydrogen ions (H+) and reabsorb more bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) to decrease the acidity of the blood. Conversely, if the blood becomes too alkaline, the kidneys can excrete more bicarbonate ions and retain more hydrogen ions to increase the acidity of the blood.
So, in summary, respiratory compensation is the shortest-term mechanism as it can quickly adjust the acid-base balance through changes in breathing, while renal compensation is the longest-term mechanism as it takes more time but has a more significant impact on regulating acid-base balance through the kidneys.