Question

Which of the following statements about the role of the respiratory system in maintenance of blood pH is not true?Select one:

Answer 1

Answer:

c. The lungs are able to rid the body of a wide variety of acidic and basic substances, thereby directly adjusting the pH of the blood

Explanation:

Lungs help maintain the blood pH by regulating the partial pressure of CO2 and thereby, the amount of hydrogen and bicarbonate ions in the blood. As CO2 enters the blood, it is converted to carbonic acid (H2CO3) which in turn dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions. As the H+ concentration increases, the blood pH decreases. The increased breathing rate and increased gaseous exchange in the lungs compensate for the change in the blood pH. Removal of CO2 from blood reduces the H+ concentration in the blood and thereby, the blood pH is increased towards the normal range.