Final answer:
An increased metabolic rate typically leads to an increased respiratory rate to meet oxygen demands and manage CO2 levels. Respiratory compensation is more efficient for metabolic acidosis than for metabolic alkalosis. Breathing is not a major form of heat transfer compared to other heat loss mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the metabolic rate is increased to 80 kcal/hr, the body is using more energy, which can often lead to an increase in the respiratory rate due to the higher demand for oxygen and the need to expel carbon dioxide (CO2) produced during metabolism. As a response to an increased metabolic rate, if the body enters metabolic acidosis, the respiratory system compensates by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to blow off CO2 and increase blood pH back towards normal levels.
However, if the body is experiencing metabolic alkalosis, the respiratory system attempts to compensate by slowing down the respiratory rate to retain CO2, which forms carbonic acid, and lowers blood pH. This compensation by the respiratory system is less efficient for correcting metabolic alkalosis than it is for correcting metabolic acidosis.
The total rate of heat transfer depends on the metabolic rate; as metabolic activity increases, so does heat production. While breathing can contribute to heat loss by exhaling warm air, it is usually not a major form of heat transfer compared to mechanisms like radiation, conduction, and convection. Thus, even with an increased respiratory rate to balance pH levels, breathing is not a significant avenue for heat transfer relative to the body's overall loss of heat.