Final answer:
B) Adequate oxygen prevents anaerobic glycolysis.
Adequate oxygenation is required to prevent pH imbalance because it prevents the need for anaerobic glycolysis, which can cause the accumulation of lactic acid and lead to lactic acidosis. It also ensures the proper functioning of the bicarbonate buffer system, maintaining the balance of hydrogen ions and supporting blood pH homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adequate oxygenation is required for prevention of pH imbalance because it prevents anaerobic glycolysis. Without sufficient oxygen, cells must rely on anaerobic glycolysis for energy production, which leads to the accumulation of lactic acid, further contributing to acidosis. Oxygen is essential not only for exchanging CO2 at the lungs but also for aerobic respiration, a process that generates ATP efficiently and produces carbon dioxide and water instead of lactic acid.
In the absence of adequate oxygen, the body can experience an accumulation of lactic acid, leading to a condition called lactic acidosis, which occurs when pH levels in the body drop due to increased acidity. The body's bicarbonate buffer system also requires oxygen; carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. Hemoglobin, reduced by the dissociation of oxygen, buffers these hydrogen ions and helps maintain normal blood pH. Therefore, adequate oxygenation is crucial for the efficiency of this buffer system and the overall homeostasis of blood pH levels.