Question

2.   Following the ingestion of ammonium chloride, create a flow chart of the negative feedback loops involved. These diagrams should include the initial changes in the pH and [HCO3-] of the plasma and the response of the kidney to these changes in terms of increases or decreases of
*   reabsorption of HCO3-
*   regeneration of HCO3-
*   excretion of HCO3-
*   excretion of buffer-bound H+
*   pH of the urine

Answer 1

NH4Cl or ammonium chloride when ingested is converted to urea (from NH3) and HCl. HCl being a strong acid can form H+ and Cl- ions resulting in decrease in HCO3- and decrease in pH. Along with these increase in Cl- and metabolic acidosis is expected with ammonium chloride ingestion.

Response of the kidney : secretion of H+ into filtrate and reabsorption of HCO3- into extracelullar fluid causing an increase in pH​​​​​.