What is the immediate effect of increased carbon dioxide in the blood?

Increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, a condition known as hypercapnia, stimulate the respiratory center in the brain. This response aims to restore homeostasis by enhancing the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. As carbon dioxide levels rise, the pH of the blood begins to decrease, leading to a more acidic environment. To counteract this, the body initiates an increase in both the depth and frequency of breathing, which actively facilitates greater gas exchange in the lungs. More vigorous respiration helps to expel the excess carbon dioxide while increasing oxygen intake, thereby restoring normal levels of these gases in the blood.