Questions for Respiratory, Renal and Acid-Base Balance

1. Describe the composition of hemoglobin. Include sub-units and any mineral. Show how oxygen is carried.

2. Draw the oxygen saturation curves for hemoglobin and myoglobin. Explain how these relate to oxygen carrying capacity. Explain why is the myoglobin saturation shape differs from hemoglobin.

3. What is the Bohr effect in relation to pH, and [CO₂] and O₂ saturation? How does it work?

4. Describe the biochemistry of the bicarbonate buffer system. Include the rate-limiting enzyme.

5. What happens to blood Ca⁺⁺ if CO₂ is blown off? Explain.

6. Describe metabolic acidosis in terms of the bicarbonate buffer system.

7. Show the bicarbonate buffer system in a RBC and its relation to tissue CO₂ and O₂ flux.

8. Show the bicarbonate buffer system in a RBC and its relation to lung CO₂ and O₂ flux.

9. Show how Cl^- is involved in the bicarbonate buffer system in the extracellualr and intracellular compartments.

10. What is tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, vital capacity, residual capacity and residual volume of the lung?

11. Show how the diaphragm, the ribs and the intercostal muscles are involved in inhalation and exhalation. Explain how rib damage may impact tidal volume.

12.. The phrenic nerve is accidentally cut on a dog during throat surgery. What is expected to happen? Describe the anatomy and the physiology.

13. Where are the barroreceptors? Where do they terminate in the brain?

14. Explain why and how a Northern Elephant Seal can dive deeper than a Leatherback Turtle in terms of their respiratory systems. In terms of dive durations, how can the Leatherback Turtle stay underwater so much longer than a human?

15. How does the osmolarity a shark’s extracellular tissues differ from seawater or human tissues? How does this help the shark survive in salt water?

16. Explain the concept of metabolic water. How does the metabolic water content vary among CHO, fat, and protein? How does this help the camel and the kangaroo rat conserve water?

17. How does dehydration impact the daily cycle in body temperature?

18. Draw a nephron. Show the vascular interactions.

19. Show how Na⁺, H⁺, H₂O, CO₂ and bicarbonate interact at the level of the renal cells to conserve K⁺ and Na⁺ and bicarbonate.

20. Show how Na⁺ and H₂O move throughout the nephron.

21. Describe the renon-angiotensin-aldosterone system in relation to blood pressure.

22. Show how ADH controls water reabsorption. Indicate what happens when alcohol inhibits ADH.