1. When the muscles are exerted during physical exercise, they require more oxygen to continue functioning effectively. This increased demand for oxygen leads to the production of more carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration.
2. As carbon dioxide levels rise in the muscles, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid can build up in the muscle tissue, causing a decrease in pH levels and leading to muscle fatigue and discomfort.
3. To cope with these high levels of carbonic acid, the body relies on a system known as the bicarbonate buffer system. This system involves the conversion of carbonic acid into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+), which helps to maintain proper pH balance in the muscles.
4. The bicarbonate ions produced in this process are transported out of the muscle cells and into the bloodstream. From there, they are carried to the lungs where they can be eliminated from the body through exhalation.
5. The lungs play a crucial role in removing excess carbon dioxide from the body. As the bicarbonate ions are transported to the lungs, they undergo a reverse reaction, converting back into carbon dioxide and water. This carbon dioxide is then exhaled out of the body, helping to regulate carbonic acid levels in the muscles.
6. Through the bicarbonate buffer system and the lungs working together, the body is able to effectively cope with high levels of carbonic acid during physical exercise. By maintaining proper pH balance, the body can continue to function optimally and prevent the harmful effects of acid build-up in the muscles.
During physical exercise a lot of Carbon Dioxide is found in the muscles in the form of Carbonic
acid.
These Carbonic acid levels that are high is very dangerous to the body.
Describe step by step how the body copes with these high levels
1 answer
1 answer