After hyperventilating for several minutes, a person may develop short periods of apnea because A) blood pH would drop and inhibit inspiration. B) oxygen in the lungs has not had time to diffuse into the blood. C) the level of oxygen has increased and inhibits the inspiratory center. D) the level of CO₂ decreases below the level necessary to stimulate the inspiratory center. E) blood pH will rise and stimulate expiration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hyperventilation causes a person to exhale CO2 at a faster rate than it is produced, leading to a decrease in blood CO2 levels. This decrease in CO2 (referred to in the question as "CO₂" due to a formatting error, but understood to mean CO2) reduces the stimulation of the brain's respiratory centers, specifically the inspiratory center, potentially causing periods of apnea.

After Hyperventilating for Several Minutes, a Person May Develop Short