Final answer:
Without carbonic anhydrase, a person's body would have difficulty regulating the blood's pH balance, resulting in an increased blood pH and possibly a decreased respiratory rate as the body attempts to retain more CO2 to counteract the imbalance.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person's body stopped producing carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme critical in regulating blood pH levels, their ability to efficiently regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) and acid-base balance in the blood would be compromised. The absence of carbonic anhydrase would impede the conversion of CO2 into carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions, significantly disrupting the blood's pH balance. Consequently, this condition would likely result in an increased blood pH because without carbonic anhydrase, there would be a slower conversion of CO2 to carbonic acid, thus reducing the acidity of the blood.
The usual respiratory response to an increase in blood pH (alkalosis) is to decrease the respiratory rate to retain more CO2 and restore the pH level. However, with no carbonic anhydrase, the body would be less efficient in correcting this imbalance. Over time, the alkaline state may unsuccessfully engage the respiratory system to compensate, potentially causing a decrease in respiratory rate as the body attempts to correct the imbalance by retaining CO2.