The following are the two statements regarding carbon dioxide:
(a) Carbon dioxide produced during cellular respiration must be eliminated from the body.
(b) Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid and thus increases pH.
Of the above statements, which one of the following options is correct

Options

A. (b) is correct but (a) is false
B. Both (a) and (b) are correct
C. (a) is correct but (b) is false
D. Both (a) and (b) are false

Answer

To analyze the two statements regarding carbon dioxide, we can break down the information as follows:

### Step 1: Evaluate Statement A
- **Statement A**: "Carbon dioxide produced during cellular respiration must be eliminated from the body."
- During cellular respiration, cells produce carbon dioxide (CO2) as a waste product. This CO2 must be transported to the lungs and exhaled to maintain the body's acid-base balance and prevent toxicity. Therefore, this statement is **correct**.

### Step 2: Evaluate Statement B
- **Statement B**: "Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid and thus increases pH."
- When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). This carbonic acid can dissociate into bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+). The increase in H+ ions actually **decreases** the pH, making the solution more acidic, not increasing it. Therefore, this statement is **false**.

### Conclusion
- Based on the evaluations:
- Statement A is correct.
- Statement B is false.

### Final Answer
- The correct option is: **A is correct but B is false**.

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