Chapter 3, Problem 3CAL

Another challenge to a patient with impaired respiratory function is the buildup of CO₂ in the blood. What would you predict given the following enzymatic reaction that occurs in the blood?

${\text{H}}_2\text{O}+{\text{CO}}_2\leftrightarrows {\text{H}}_2{\text{CO}}_3\leftrightarrows {\text{H}}^{+}+{\text{HCO}}_3^{-}$

1. a. increased production of H₂O
2. b. increased production of H⁺ (with an accompanying decrease in pH)
3. c. decreased production of H⁺ (with an accompanying increase in pH)
4. d. All of the above.