One of the buffers that contribute to pH stability in human blood is carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) and a hydrogen ion (H+). Thus, H2CO3 ↔ HCO3- + H+ If the pH of the blood drops, one would expect

One of the buffers that contribute to pH stability in human blood is carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) and a hydrogen ion (H+). Thus, H2CO3 ↔ HCO3- + H+ If the pH of the blood drops, one would expect

One of the buffers that contribute to pH stability in human blood is carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) and a hydrogen ion (H+). Thus,


H2CO3 ↔ HCO3- + H+


If the pH of the blood drops, one would expect




A) a decrease in the concentration of H2CO3 and an increase in the concentration of HCO3-.
B) the concentration of hydroxide ion (OH-) to increase.
C) the concentration of bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) to increase.
D) the HCO3- to act as a base and remove excess H+ with the formation of H2CO3.
E) the HCO3- to act as an acid and remove excess H+ with the formation of H2CO3.



Answer: D