Final answer:
Breathing too fast and too deep is accurately defined as hyperventilation, which can lead to low blood carbon dioxide levels and increase blood pH. This is distinct from hyperpnea, which is a response to increased oxygen demand and does not alter blood gas levels significantly. The diaphragm can be controlled consciously, enabling various breathing techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False. The diaphragm can contract due to conscious control. This statement is true. You can control your breathing by holding your breath, slowing your breathing, or hyperventilating, which is breathing more quickly and shallowly than necessary. This conscious control is common in activities like swimming, singing, and playing musical instruments.
Concerning the original question, breathing too fast and too deep is indeed called hyperventilation. This increased ventilation rate leads to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels and a higher (alkaline) blood pH. It is not to be confused with hyperpnea, which is an increased depth and rate of ventilation due to an increase in oxygen demand, such as during exercise, and does not significantly alter blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels.
As for hypoventilating, it is actually characterized by breathing that is slow and insufficient in meeting the body's oxygen demand, which contradicts the assertion that it is fast and shallow.