Respiratory regulation of H+

Respiratory and renal systems are

physiological buffering systems

Respiratory system eliminates

CO₂ (an acid)

• A reversible equilibrium exists in blood

• During CO₂ unloading, reaction shifts to

• left

• (and H⁺ is incorporated into H₂O)

• During CO₂ loading, reaction shifts to

right

• (and H⁺ is buffered by proteins)

• If P_CO2 in blood rises (hypercapnia), it activates

• medullary chemoreceptors

• Rising plasma H⁺ (acidosis) activate

peripheral chemoreceptors

if Pco2 in blood rises and rising in plasma both causes -

• more CO₂ to be removed from the blood, pushing reaction to left, which reduces H⁺ concentration

• Alkalosis depresses

• respiratory center

  • Respiratory rate and depth decrease, causing H⁺ concentration to increase

• Hypoventilation causes

• respiratory acidosis

• Hyperventilation causes

• respiratory alkalosis