alleryStart learning →At normal blood pH, what is the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid in the blood?
A20 to 1
B4 to 1
C3 to 1
D35 to 1
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. 20 to 1
1. The bicarbonate and carbonic acid pair is the buffer the body adjusts to hold pH.
2. When blood pH is normal the two sit in a 20 to 1 ratio.
3. Carbonic acid levels are set by how much carbon dioxide the lungs blow off.
4. Bicarbonate levels are set by the kidney, which conserves it from the filtrate.
5. Compensation works by pushing that ratio back toward 20 to 1.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 26 "Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance", section Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid Buffer_
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