Final answer:
Too much lactic acid in the blood would decrease the blood pH, leading to acidosis, which can impair oxygen transportation by hemoglobin and cause severe health issues, including coma or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
If too much lactic acid were added to the blood, the pH of the blood would decrease, leading to acidosis. Lactic acid is neutralized by the bicarbonate ion in the blood, forming carbonic acid, which then breaks down into carbon dioxide and water. This process of regulating the pH through the carbonate buffering system, in conjunction with respiratory adjustments, normally maintains the blood pH within the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. An excess of lactic acid overwhelms this buffer system and reduces the blood pH, compromising the ability of hemoglobin to transport oxygen and potentially leading to acidosis. This condition can cause a array of symptoms, including labored breathing, dehydration, and in severe cases, coma or death.