Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO3- ) an
ID: 23554 • Letter: C
Question
Carbonic acid is a weak acid that dissociates into a bicarbonate ion (HCO3- ) and a hydrogen ion (H+). Thus,H2CO3 ? HCO3- + H+
If the pH of the blood drops, one would expect
a. a decrease in the concentration of H2CO3 and an increase in the concentration of HCO3-
b. the concentration of OH- to increase.
c. the concentration of HCO3- to increase.
d. the HCO3- to act as a base and remove excess H+ with the formation of H2CO3.
e. the HCO3- to act as an acid and remove excess H+ with the formation of H2CO3.
Explanation / Answer
c. the concentration of HCO3- to increase.