What drives the bicarbonate buffer systems enormous ability to ...

[RRMR]

What drives the bicarbonate buffer systems enormous ability to buffer acids?
 
  a. The fact that H2CO3 is a strong buffer
  b. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
  c. The large amounts of 2,3-DPG in red blood cells
  d. Ventilation continually removing CO2 from system

Question 2

Which of the following systems is primarily responsible for the buffering of fixed acids?
 
  a. Ammonia
  b. HCO3
  c. Hb
  d. Phosphate

[moormoney]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
This allows HCO3 to continue buffering H+ as long as ventilation continues. Hypothetically, this buffering activity can continue until all body sources of HCO3 are used up in binding H+ (i.e., the aforementioned reaction is continually pulled to the left because ventilation continually re-moves CO2).

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Most of the added fixed acid is buffered by HCO3 because ventilation continually pulls the re-action to the left.

[RRMR]

Excellent

[rachel]

Gracias!