Approximately seventy per cent of carbon dioxide absorbed by the blood...
- About 70% of CO2 (about 2.5ml per 100 ml. of blood), received by blood from the tissues, enters the RBCs where it reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
- Carbonic anhydrase, exclusively found in RBCs, speeds up the formation of H2CO3 and rapidly converts it back to carbon dioxide and water when blood reaches the lungs. Almost as rapidly as formed, all carbonic acid of RBCs dissociates into hydrogen (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO-3).
Approximately seventy per cent of carbon dioxide absorbed by the blood...
Carbon Dioxide Transport in Blood
The transport of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood is a crucial physiological process. Approximately 70% of CO2 is transported to the lungs as bicarbonate ions. Here’s how this process works:
1. Formation of Bicarbonate Ions
- When CO2 enters the blood, it reacts with water (H2O) in the presence of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
- This reaction produces carbonic acid (H2CO3), which quickly dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+).
2. Role of Bicarbonate in Blood
- The bicarbonate ions are then transported in the plasma, effectively serving as a major form of CO2 transport.
- This conversion is essential as it helps maintain the pH balance of the blood and facilitates the transport of CO2 from tissues to the lungs.
3. Comparison with Other Transport Methods
- While some CO2 is transported dissolved in plasma (about 7-10%) and some binds to hemoglobin to form carbamino compounds (about 20-25%), the majority is in the form of bicarbonate.
- The binding of CO2 to hemoglobin (carbaminohemoglobin) is significant but does not account for the largest percentage of CO2 transport.
4. Importance of Bicarbonate Transport
- The bicarbonate buffer system plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pH levels and ensuring efficient respiratory function.
- Upon reaching the lungs, bicarbonate ions are converted back to CO2, which is then exhaled.
In conclusion, the predominant transport method of carbon dioxide in the blood is as bicarbonate ions, making option 'A' the correct answer.