What is a likely effect of deficiency in carbonic anhydrase?

What is a likely effect of deficiency in carbonic anhydrase?

• A. Increased bicarbonate concentrations
• B. Decreased bicarbonate concentrations
• C. Increased carbon dioxide retention
• D. Decreased chloride levels in the serum

Answer: (B)

A deficiency in carbonic anhydrase primarily leads to decreased bicarbonate concentrations in the body. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid, which subsequently dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. When this enzyme is deficient, the conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate is impaired. Consequently, the body's ability to buffer acids effectively is compromised, leading to lower bicarbonate levels. This deficiency can impact acid-base balance and respiratory function, as bicarbonate plays a crucial role in maintaining pH levels in the blood. In addition, reduced bicarbonate can lead to a decreased ability to handle excess carbon dioxide, potentially contributing to respiratory or metabolic acidosis. The other options, while related to acid-base balance, do not directly stem from a deficiency of carbonic anhydrase in the same way. Increased bicarbonate concentrations cannot occur with a deficiency of the enzyme; instead, they would decrease. Increased carbon dioxide retention would be a consequence of diminished bicarbonate buffering capacity, not a direct result of the enzymatic deficiency itself, and decreased chloride levels are unrelated to carbonic anhydrase activity directly. Therefore, a deficiency in carbonic anhydrase results in decreased

A deficiency in carbonic anhydrase primarily leads to decreased bicarbonate concentrations in the body. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid, which subsequently dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. When this enzyme is deficient, the conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate is impaired.

Consequently, the body's ability to buffer acids effectively is compromised, leading to lower bicarbonate levels. This deficiency can impact acid-base balance and respiratory function, as bicarbonate plays a crucial role in maintaining pH levels in the blood. In addition, reduced bicarbonate can lead to a decreased ability to handle excess carbon dioxide, potentially contributing to respiratory or metabolic acidosis.

The other options, while related to acid-base balance, do not directly stem from a deficiency of carbonic anhydrase in the same way. Increased bicarbonate concentrations cannot occur with a deficiency of the enzyme; instead, they would decrease. Increased carbon dioxide retention would be a consequence of diminished bicarbonate buffering capacity, not a direct result of the enzymatic deficiency itself, and decreased chloride levels are unrelated to carbonic anhydrase activity directly. Therefore, a deficiency in carbonic anhydrase results in decreased