Pick the correct answer to the following question. Write a brief statement explaining why each choice of answers is correct or incorrect.
A person is hyperventilating. Their rapid rate of breathing causes a loss of carbon dioxide than usual from the body, resulting in a decline in the amount of hydrogen ions in the blood plasma. As a result:
A. The pH of the blood will rise.
B. The pH of the blood will fall.
C. The pH of the blood will not be affected.
The correct answer is A. The pH of the blood will rise.
Explanation:
Hyperventilation is a condition where a person breathes rapidly, leading to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body. Carbon dioxide reacts with water (H2O) in the body to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This reaction produces hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
When a person hyperventilates, there is a loss of carbon dioxide from the body, which reduces the amount of hydrogen ions (H+) available. As a result, there is a decline in the concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood plasma, causing an increase in pH.
Therefore, choice A is correct as the pH of the blood will rise due to the decrease in hydrogen ions. Choices B and C are incorrect as they do not accurately represent the effect of hyperventilation on blood pH.