CO2 combines with H2O in blood plasma to form H2CO3 (carbonic acid). Carbonic acid readily dissociates into HCO3 + H+ .
The reaction between CO2 and water happens inside red blood cells, and the reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
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CO2 from the tissues diffuses into red blood cells, where it combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) with the help of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic acid then dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+). The bicarbonate ions are then transported out of the red blood cells and into the plasma to help buffer the blood pH.
Most carbon dioxide (CO2) is transported in the blood in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-). It is produced as a byproduct of cellular metabolism and diffuses into the blood from tissues. In the lungs, CO2 is exhaled through the process of respiration.
Blood transports CO2 from tissue cells to the lungs in 3 forms:1) Dissolved in blood plasma (7 -- 10%)2) Chemically bound to Hb (around 20%), it forms a compound named carbaminohemoglobin. This reaction occurs rapidly and does not require an enzyme. CO2 binds directly to the amino acids of the Hb protein molecule.3) As bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) in plasma (about 70%): CO2 permeates (by simple diffusion) into the RBCs and combines with water. This reaction requires the presence of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. The result is carbonic acid (H2CO3), an unstable compound that quickly dissociates into H+ and HCO3-:CO2 + H2O + enzyme -------- H2CO3 -------- H+ + HCO3-The H+ formed, as well as CO2 itself, bind to hemoglobin molecules, triggering the called (Bohr effect). Thus, oxygen release is enhanced by CO2 loading. Because of the buffering effect of Hb, the liberated H+ causes little change in blood pH: arterial blood pH= 7.40; venous blood pH= 7.34.(Ahmed Urbizo, MDC STUDENT)
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and removes carbon dioxide from the body tissues. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it in other tissues, while also picking up carbon dioxide to be exhaled from the body.
While holding her breath, blood carbon dioxide levels increase as CO2 accumulates in the blood. This leads to a decrease in blood pH due to an increase in hydrogen ions (acidosis). Bicarbonate ions act as a buffer to temporarily maintain pH but will eventually decrease as they bind to hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid and help regulate pH.
Yes, carbon dioxide enters the blood stream in the body's tissues, where it is produced as a byproduct of metabolism. It is then carried in the blood back to the lungs, where it is exhaled from the body.