Final answer:
Respiratory acidosis occurs due to excess CO₂, leading to acidic blood, with compensation involving renal conservation of bicarbonate. Respiratory alkalosis results from CO₂ deficiency, leading to alkaline blood, with compensation involving renal excretion of bicarbonate. The body uses respiratory and renal methods for compensation, although these mechanisms have limitations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis are conditions affecting blood pH due to imbalances in carbon dioxide levels and bicarbonate ion concentrations. In respiratory acidosis, there is an excess of CO₂ in the blood, often due to hypoventilation or lung diseases, leading to a decrease in blood pH (acidic condition). The body attempts to compensate by increasing renal conservation of bicarbonate ions, which helps to neutralize the excess acidity.
In contrast, respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a CO₂ deficiency in the blood, typically due to hyperventilation or high altitude, leading to an increase in blood pH (alkaline condition). The kidneys respond by decreasing bicarbonate production and increasing bicarbonate excretion, which can help restore pH balance, although this mechanism is less effective compared to the compensation for acidosis.
To battle metabolic acidosis, respiratory compensation involves increasing the respiratory rate to expel more CO₂ and bring the bicarbonate to carbonic acid ratio back to normal levels. However, the respiratory system has a limited capacity to slow breathing to conserve CO₂ for compensating metabolic alkalosis. On the other hand, metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis includes renal adjustment by conserving bicarbonate and secreting hydrogen ions, while compensation for respiratory alkalosis entails the kidneys reducing bicarbonate production and absorbing more hydrogen ions.