Chapter 2, Problem 7CT

Carbon dioxide that accumulates in the blood can become toxic, in part because it alters the blood pH. Some of the carbon dioxide molecules react with water to form carbonic acid $\left({\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{+ H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\rightleftarrows {\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ Ned can swim across the swimming pool under water. Before diving into the water, he breathes rapidly for a few seconds, and while he is under the water he does not breathe at all. Explain how the pH of his blood changes while breathing rapidly and while swimming under water. Also explain why the pH of his blood does not change dramatically.