1. The respiratory compensation helps fix metabolic acidosis. The respiratory compensation helps maintain pH when carbon dioxide levels are too high. During acidosis, the extra carbon dioxide is exhaled through the alveoli of the lungs. The respiratory rate is increased to rid the body of extra CO2.
During metabolic alkalosis, the respiratory rate will decrease to compensate for the carbon dioxide loss. The chemoreceptors in the medulla oblongata, carotid bodies, and aortic bodies monitor the carbon dioxide levels in the body (Martini, 2009).
Renal compensation can help restore the pH during metabolic acidosis. The extra hydrogen ions are removed by the kidneys when we urinate and bicarbonate ions are moved into the EFC (Martini, 2009).
Renal compensation can also assist in times of metabolic alkalosis. The extra HCO3- is removed in the urine. If vomiting if the cause of slight metabolic alkalosis, giving fluids with sodium chloride and potassium chloride to the patient will help control the vomiting (Martini, 2009). If acute metabolic alkalosis is present, a solution of ammonium chloride will help reduce the pH (Martini, 2009).
2.The protein buffer system is important in maintaining the pH in both the EFC and IFC. This buffer system also has the ability to interact with the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system and the phosphate buffer system. If pH becomes too high, the amino acid can release a hydrogen ion. The carboxyl group becomes a carboxylate group, making the amino acid a weak acid (Martini, 2009). The pH will return back to normal. If the pH becomes too low, the opposite happens. The amino group will become a weak base. The pH will rise back to its normal range when H+ in the EFC is moved into the IFC. The proteins buffer against lactic acid or pyruvic acid that is made from cellular metabolism. This buffer system is a time consuming process to control pH.
When mixed with water, carbon dioxide changes to carbonic acid and then dissociates into a H+ and bicarbonate ion (Martini, 2009). These products are what make the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system that helps protect against pH change caused by organic and fixed acids in the EFC. The system works with the respiratory system when carbon dioxide levels are too high. The carbon dioxide is released when we exhale. The rate of expiration is increased until normal values are reached.
The ICF is buffered by the phosphate buffer system. Dihydrogen phosphate releases a hydrogen ion and monohydrogen phosphate (Martini, 2009). This buffer system also helps the pH of urine by using sodium monohydrogen phosphate.