The Circulatory and Respiratory system of pigs work together to ensure that there is a healthy pH level within the body. In the Circulatory system, if there is too much CO2 in the blood, the acidity will rise. But to keep that level of acidity from increasing, the Respiratory system increases the breathing rate. Because its respiratory rate increases, there is less CO2 circulating throughout the body, and the body maintains homeostasis.
Great connection to earlier in the year when we were talking about CO2 diffusion and how increased concentration lowers the blood pH. Since CO2 is a waste product of CR, it naturally increases as the cells of the body do their thing...the pH of the blood decreases. And these systems solve this problem. Very cool.
ReplyDelete