Question

Normally, gaseous CO2 is efficiently expired in the lungs. Under certain conditions, such as obstructive lung disease or emphysema, expiration is impaired. The resulting excess of CO2 in the body may lead to respiratory acidosis, a condition in which excess acid accumulates in bodily fluids. How does excess CO2 lead to respiratory acidosis?

Answer 1

Excess CO2 causes the pH of blood and other bodily fluids to decrease, making them too acidic.

In respiratory acidosis, CO2 react with blood to form carboxyhaemoglobine which makes it more acidic means decrease the pH value.

CO2 + H2O ----- (carbonic anhydrase)> H2CO3; carbonic acid

Carbon dioxide is converted into carbonic acid with the help of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.

This Carbonic acid breaks into bicarbonate and hydrogen ion.

H2CO3; carbonic acid < == > H+   + HCO3-

  This Hydrogen ion is responsible for change in pH.