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

A) a decrease in the concentration of H₂CO₃ and an increase in the concentration of HCO₃⁻.
B) an increase in the concentration of H₂CO₃ and a decrease in the concentration of HCO₃⁻.
C) a decrease in the concentration of HCO₃⁻ and an increase in the concentration of H⁺.
D) an increase in the concentration of HCO₃⁻ and a decrease in the concentration of OH⁻.
E) a decrease in the concentration of HCO₃⁻ and an increase in the concentration of both H₂CO₃ and H⁺.