What effect do metabolic acidosis and aldosterone have in common? ...

[crobinson2013]

What effect do metabolic acidosis and aldosterone have in common?
 
  a. They both result in renal loss of K+.
  b. There is a loss of HCO3 and Cl in the renal tubules.
  c. There is retention of CO2 and Cl.
  d. They both cause renal retention of HCO3.

Question 2

Which of the following describe roles played by HCO3-? 1. HCO3 levels vary directly with Cl- levels. 2. It is the primary vehicle for blood carbon dioxide transport. 3. It plays a key role in acid-base homeostasis.
 
  a. 1, 2, and 3
  b. 1 and 3 only
  c. 2 only
  d. 2 and 3 only

[lin77x]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Renal excretion of K+ is controlled by aldosterone levels. Aldosterone inhibits the enzyme re-sponsible for K+ transport in the distal renal tubular cells of the kidney. Metabolic acidosis also inhibits the transport system.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
HCO3 plays an important role in acid-base homeostasis and is the strong base in the bicar-bonate-carbonic acid buffer pair. HCO3 is the primary means for transporting carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. The ratio of HCO3 to carbonic acid in healthy individuals is main-tained near 20:1.