What Effect Will an Increased Respiratory Rate Have on PH

Question

What effect will an increased respiratory rate have on pH and why?
A) It will cause pH to decline because less CO2will be available to combine with water to form carbonic acid.
B) It will cause pH to decline because more bicarbonate will combine with carbonic acid.
C) It will cause pH to increase because less CO2will be available to combine with water to form carbonic acid.
D) It will cause pH to increase because more bicarbonate will combine with carbonic acid.

Accepted Answer

Increased respiratory rate means more carbon dioxide will be exhaled, leading to less CO2 available to combine with water to form carbonic acid. This decrease in carbonic acid formation will lead to an increase in pH.