Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

10. Acids and Bases

Gas Evolution Equations (Simplified)

GOB Chemistry

10. Acids and Bases

Gas Evolution Equations (Simplified)

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2:03 minutes

Problem 79b

Textbook Question

Sometimes, during stress or trauma, a person can start to hyperventilate. Then the person might breathe into a paper bag to avoid fainting.
b. How does breathing into a paper bag help return blood pH to normal?
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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of blood pH: The pH of blood is tightly regulated, typically around 7.35–7.45. Hyperventilation causes excessive exhalation of CO₂, which disrupts this balance by reducing the concentration of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) in the blood, leading to a condition called respiratory alkalosis (higher blood pH).

Recall the chemical equilibrium involved: CO₂ in the blood reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). The equilibrium can be represented as:

CO 2 + H 2 O \leftrightarrow H 2 CO 3 \leftrightarrow H + HCO 3

Explain the effect of hyperventilation: During hyperventilation, CO₂ levels in the blood drop significantly. This shifts the equilibrium to the left, reducing the concentration of H⁺ ions and increasing blood pH (alkalosis).

Describe how breathing into a paper bag helps: Breathing into a paper bag causes the person to re-inhale exhaled CO₂. This increases the CO₂ concentration in the blood, shifting the equilibrium to the right, which increases the concentration of H⁺ ions and lowers the blood pH back to normal.

Summarize the physiological benefit: By restoring CO₂ levels and rebalancing the blood's pH, breathing into a paper bag helps prevent symptoms of alkalosis, such as dizziness, fainting, and muscle spasms, allowing the body to return to homeostasis.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation occurs when a person breathes rapidly and deeply, leading to an excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood. This can result in respiratory alkalosis, where the blood pH rises above normal levels, causing symptoms like dizziness and fainting. Understanding hyperventilation is crucial to grasp why interventions like breathing into a paper bag are used.

Carbon Dioxide and Blood pH

Carbon dioxide plays a vital role in regulating blood pH. When CO2 levels drop due to hyperventilation, the blood becomes more alkaline (higher pH). Breathing into a paper bag helps to reintroduce CO2 into the lungs, which can help restore the balance of acids and bases in the blood, normalizing pH levels.

Acid-Base Balance

The acid-base balance in the body is maintained through various physiological mechanisms, including respiration and metabolism. A normal blood pH is essential for proper cellular function. Interventions like breathing into a paper bag can help correct imbalances caused by hyperventilation, thereby stabilizing the body's acid-base status and alleviating symptoms.

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