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+), as noted below.
H2CO3<->HCO3-+H+
If the pH of blood drops, one would expect ________.
A) a decrease in the concentration of H2CO3 and an increase in concentration of HCO3-
B) the HCO3- to act as an acid and removes excess H+ by the formation of H2CO3
C) the concentration of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) to increase
D) the HCO3- to act as a base and remove excess H+ by the formation of H2CO3
Answer: D) the HCO3- to act as a base and remove excess H+ by the formation of H2CO3