What happens when there is too much CO2 or H+ in the blood?

What happens when there is too much CO2 or H+ in the blood?

• A. It leads to acidosis.
• B. It leads to alkalosis.
• C. It has no effect on pH.
• D. It causes dehydration.

Answer: (A)

When CO2 or hydrogen ions accumulate in the blood, the pH drops and the blood becomes more acidic. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into H+ and bicarbonate. Adding more CO2 pushes this reaction to the right, increasing hydrogen ions and lowering pH. That state is called acidosis. Dehydration isn’t the direct result of elevated CO2 or H+. The body can try to compensate by changing respiration or kidney function, but the immediate effect of excess CO2 or H+ is acidosis.

When CO2 or hydrogen ions accumulate in the blood, the pH drops and the blood becomes more acidic. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into H+ and bicarbonate. Adding more CO2 pushes this reaction to the right, increasing hydrogen ions and lowering pH. That state is called acidosis. Dehydration isn’t the direct result of elevated CO2 or H+. The body can try to compensate by changing respiration or kidney function, but the immediate effect of excess CO2 or H+ is acidosis.