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Carbon dioxide and water react to form bicarbonate ion and hydronium ion. Hyperventilation (rapid breathing) causes more carbon dioxide to be exhaled than normal. How will hyperventilation affect the pH of blood? Explain.

A. Increase pH due to more carbon dioxide
B. Decrease pH due to less carbon dioxide
C. No effect on pH
D. Decrease pH due to excess bicarbonate ion

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Hyperventilation leads to an increased pH level in the blood due to the excess exhalation of carbon dioxide, which decreases carbonic acid levels and causes the blood to become more alkaline.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hyperventilation causes a person to exhale more carbon dioxide (CO2) than normal. This rapid exhalation of CO2 decreases the amount of carbonic acid in the blood, which subsequently increases the blood's pH level. The condition resulting from this process is called respiratory alkalosis, where the blood becomes more alkaline (basic). Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that hyperventilation will increase pH due to more carbon dioxide being exhaled. Hyperventilation reduces the blood levels of carbonic acid, making it too alkaline and causing the blood pH to rise. This shift away from acidity and towards alkalinity happens because when CO2 is lost from the body, the equilibrium shifts, leading to a decrease in hydrogen ion (H+) concentration, and thus an increase in blood pH.

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