Metabolic acidosis triggers compensatory changes in which two body systems?

Metabolic acidosis triggers compensatory changes in which two body systems?

• A. Respiratory and Urinary
• B. Nervous and Digestive
• C. Circulatory and Endocrine
• D. Musculoskeletal and Immune

Answer: (A)

When metabolic acidosis lowers blood pH, the body mainly uses two systems to compensate: the respiratory and the renal (urinary) systems. The respiratory system responds quickly by increasing ventilation, blowing off more CO2. Lowering CO2 shifts the carbonic acid–bicarbonate balance toward fewer hydrogen ions, helping raise pH even though the bicarbonate deficit remains. The kidneys provide longer-lasting compensation by increasing hydrogen ion excretion and by reabsorbing and generating bicarbonate, which helps neutralize the excess acid and replenish base. Together, these mechanisms work to restore pH toward normal, with respiration acting first and kidneys sustaining the correction over hours to days. Other body systems don’t directly adjust acid-base balance in the same targeted way, so the primary compensators are the respiratory and urinary systems.

When metabolic acidosis lowers blood pH, the body mainly uses two systems to compensate: the respiratory and the renal (urinary) systems. The respiratory system responds quickly by increasing ventilation, blowing off more CO2. Lowering CO2 shifts the carbonic acid–bicarbonate balance toward fewer hydrogen ions, helping raise pH even though the bicarbonate deficit remains. The kidneys provide longer-lasting compensation by increasing hydrogen ion excretion and by reabsorbing and generating bicarbonate, which helps neutralize the excess acid and replenish base. Together, these mechanisms work to restore pH toward normal, with respiration acting first and kidneys sustaining the correction over hours to days. Other body systems don’t directly adjust acid-base balance in the same targeted way, so the primary compensators are the respiratory and urinary systems.