alleryStart learning →How large a shift in blood pH is described as likely to be fatal?
AA shift of about 0.1 units or greater
BA shift of about 1.0 units or greater
CA shift of about 2.0 units or greater
DA shift of about 0.4 units or greater
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. A shift of about 0.4 units or greater
1. Blood pH is held very close to the value set by its buffer pair.
2. Normal day to day variation stays under 0.1 of a pH unit.
3. A change of 0.4 units or more is likely to be fatal.
4. The narrow tolerance is why the carbonate buffer system and breathing both regulate it.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 14 "Acid-Base Equilibria", section 14.6 Buffers_
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