Final answer:
In the case of acidosis, the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve shifts to the right, indicating a decreased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen and increased oxygen release to cells due to a lower pH.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient develops acidosis, the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve is expected to shift to the right. This reaction indicates that with an increase in acidity (lower pH), the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen decreases, thereby facilitating more oxygen release to the cells. This shift can be attributed to the Bohr effect, which describes how hemoglobin's oxygen-binding affinity is inversely related to acidity and carbon dioxide concentration in the blood.
When acidosis occurs due to an increase in carbon dioxide or the presence of other metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid, more hydrogen ions are produced, which lowers the pH, subsequently reducing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Consequently, oxygen dissociates more readily from hemoglobin, enhancing the delivery of oxygen to tissues where it is needed.
The correct answer to the student's question is a. Shift to the right, causing more oxygen (O₂) to be released to the cells.