When hypoventilation occurs, what effect does it have on blood pH?

When hypoventilation occurs, there is a reduced rate of breathing, which decreases the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is expelling from the body. As CO2 levels increase in the blood, it combines with water to form carbonic acid, leading to an increase in hydrogen ions (H+) concentration. This increase in hydrogen ions lowers the pH of the blood, causing acidosis.

The relationship between CO2 and blood pH is essential in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. Under normal conditions, adequate ventilation helps regulate CO2 levels, but during hypoventilation, the retention of CO2 shifts this balance towards acidity, thereby decreasing the pH. This explains why the effect of hypoventilation is a decrease in blood pH.