How are high pCO2 and low pH related?
Click to see full answer
Keeping this in view, how does pCO2 affect pH?
Any change in pCO2 will effect the equilibrium reaction of CO2 and H2O and will effect pH. pO -partial pressure of oxygen. Respiratory acid and respiratory acidosis--Carbon dioxide is “respiratory acid” and is the only acid which can be controlled by respiration. When the pCO2 is high, there is a respiratory acidosis.
Additionally, what does it mean if your pCO2 is low? The pCO2 gives an indication of the respiratory component of the blood gas results. A high and low value indicates hypercapnea (hypoventilation) and hypocapnea (hyperventilation), respectively. A high pCO2 is compatible with a respiratory acidosis and a low pCO2 with a respiratory alkalosis.
In respect to this, how does increased co2 decrease pH?
The first way it does this is that at high concentrations the carbon dioxide reduces the pH. This occurs due to the fact that carbon dioxide reacts with water and forms carbonic acid, and carbonic acid dissociate to release proton H and bicarbonate ion, so it will decrease pH. This results in a decrease in pH.
What happens when pCO2 increases?
pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) reflects the the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the blood. Someone who is hyperventilating will "blow off" more CO2, leading to lower pCO2 levels. Someone who is holding their breath will retain CO2, leading to increased pCO2 levels.