Download Blood pH Homeostasis

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You are hyperventilating – reducing the
amount of carbon dioxide in your body.
The result/stimulus is your blood is
becoming too alkaline – your pH is too high.
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Set point
Sensors
Controller
Effector
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Set point – near 7 (7.35-7.45)
Sensors – nerve receptor cells in arteries
Controller – brain
Effector – muscles in chest (intercostals and
diagphragm)
Response –
if pH is high (alkaline) then slow breathing
if pH is low (acid) then speed breathing
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Nervous system – brain (controller)
Circulatory system – blood and arteries
(sensor)
Muscle system – rib muscles and diaphragm
(effectors)
Respiratory system – lungs (effectors)
You are breathing too fast which is causing
your carbon dioxide levels to drop which is
raising your blood pH. As your body leaves
homeostasis a negative feedback system
kicks in. Your body senses this through the
receptors in your arteries (circulatory system)
which then signal the controller in your brain
(nervous system). The controller detects that
the pH level is above the set point and needs
to return your body to homeostasis.
(continued)
To return your body to homeostasis and bring
your blood pH level back to the set point,
your brain signals the effectors. The
effectors are the muscles (muscle system)
around your lungs (respiratory system) which
help you breathe. The effectors are signaled
to decrease your breathing rate and allow the
carbon dioxide levels in your blood to rise,
thus lowering your blood pH and returning
you to homeostasis.