Chemistry for Physiology

This is the best answer as it describes the buffer action and the continuous nature of exhalation mean that there is no delay in excreting carbon dioxide. Choice A is also correct, but the elimination of acid via kidneys is not immediate.

A dissolved electrolyte will ensure that ions are in solution and the solution will conduct electricity as these ions are free to move through the solution.

Vascular and interstitial liquids must be included.

A buffer must destroy acid, so choices C and D, in which acid is “created”, are wrong. A buffer destroys acid by accepting a hydrogen atom from the hydronium molecule so converting it to water: choice B describes this and has equal numbers of hydrogen atoms (6) on each side of the arrow, while choice A has an imbalance of H atoms and of charge.

Sodium is a metal so it will lose an electron. As it occurs in Period IA of the periodic table, we know it loses a single electron.

Metal atoms can only form (ionic nonmolecular) compounds with non-metal atoms.

Osmotic pressure is a way of expressing solution concentration. The word pressure in the term “osmotic pressure” makes it tempting to erroneously think of the solution exerting some type of pressure due to its solutes.

Glycogen – o – lysis refers to the lysis (splitting) of glycogen into smaller glucose units.

Filtration requires a pressure difference; diffusion does not. Both diffusion and filtration can occur through a membrane.

Hypo- refers to too little and kalium is the Latin word for potassium.