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How is carbon dioxide transported in human being?
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How is carbon dioxide transported in human being?
Transport  of oxygen and  carbon-dioxide  occurs with the help of respiratory pigment called hemoglobin...
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How is carbon dioxide transported in human being?
Transport of Carbon Dioxide in Humans


Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste product of metabolism and it must be transported out of cells and tissues to the lungs for elimination. There are three ways in which CO2 is transported in the human body:


1. Dissolved in Plasma


  • CO2 is highly soluble in plasma, so a small amount of it is transported in the dissolved form through blood.

  • This dissolved form of CO2 is carried in plasma as bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) or as carbamino compounds (CO2 bound to hemoglobin).



2. Bound to Hemoglobin


  • CO2 can also bind to hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells (RBCs).

  • This binding occurs at the amino terminal end of Hb, where CO2 reacts with the amino groups to form carbamino compounds.

  • This process is called carbamino-hemoglobin formation and it accounts for about 20-30% of CO2 transport in blood.



3. As Bicarbonate Ions


  • The majority of CO2 (about 70%) is transported in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the blood.

  • CO2 reacts with water in the presence of carbonic anhydrase enzyme to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).

  • Carbonic acid then dissociates to form bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+).

  • The bicarbonate ions are transported in plasma, while the hydrogen ions bind to hemoglobin and are buffered by proteins in the blood.



The transport of CO2 is a vital process in the human body, as it helps maintain the pH balance and prevent acidosis. The regulation of CO2 levels in the blood is controlled by the respiratory system, which adjusts the rate and depth of breathing to eliminate excess CO2.
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How is carbon dioxide transported in human being?
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