What effect does Sodium Bicarbonate have when buffering excess hydrogen ions?

Sodium Bicarbonate acts as a buffer for excess hydrogen ions in the body, primarily in the blood. When there is an accumulation of hydrogen ions, which typically indicates acidosis, Sodium Bicarbonate dissociates into sodium and bicarbonate ions. The bicarbonate ions then react with hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid, which subsequently dissociates into water and carbon dioxide. This chemical reaction effectively neutralizes the excess hydrogen ions, leading to an increase in the blood pH, making it less acidic. Therefore, the primary and correct effect of Sodium Bicarbonate in this context is to raise blood pH, helping to restore a more normal acid-base balance.

The other options do not directly relate to the primary function of Sodium Bicarbonate as a buffering agent. While it may have various secondary effects on the body, such as influencing potassium levels or potentially having other indirect impacts, those are not the primary mechanism at play when buffering hydrogen ions.