One of the Buffers That Contribute to PH Stability in Human

question 66

Multiple Choice

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.