Final answer:
Hyperpnea is the increased rate and volume of respiration due to increased metabolism, such as during exercise, and differs from hyperventilation, which leads to an abnormal blood pH level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increased respiratory rate and/or volume due to increased metabolism is known as hyperpnea. Hyperpnea is characterized by an increased depth and rate of ventilation to meet an increase in oxygen demand, which can occur during exercise or in response to disease, particularly those affecting the respiratory or digestive tracts. This condition does not cause significant changes in blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels but satisfies the increased oxygen needs of the cells.
In contrast, hyperventilation refers to an increased ventilation rate that exceeds the oxygen needs of the cells, resulting in low blood carbon dioxide levels and a higher, more alkaline blood pH. Hyperpnea is typically a healthy adaptive response to increased metabolic demands, while hyperventilation may lead to disturbances in the acid-base balance of the blood.