Answer :
Final answer:
The correct option is b) Higher CO₂ levels increase ventilation drive. Higher CO₂ levels in the blood increase ventilation drive, which enhances the rate and depth of breathing to reduce CO₂ concentration and regulate the body's pH level.
Explanation:
The correct option is b) Higher CO₂ levels increase ventilation drive. The level of CO₂ in the blood is directly related to ventilation drive. When there is a higher concentration of CO₂ (carbon dioxide), it triggers the central chemoreceptors in the brain to stimulate the respiratory centers. This stimulation leads to an increase in the rate and depth of breathing, which is a process intended to expel more CO₂ and bring the levels down, consequentially reducing the concentration of hydrogen ions and increasing the pH of the blood. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that higher CO₂ levels increase ventilation drive. This mechanism helps maintain homeostasis in the body by regulating the acid-base balance through respiration.
