Question

Carbon dioxide (CO2) from tissue cells forms ________ when combined with water. This compound dissociates into H+ and ________, and participates in an important buffering system in the blood.

Answer 1

carbonic acid

bicarbonate ion

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon dioxide is transported by the blood in the dissolved form. Carbonic anhydrase is the enzyme which is a metalloenzyme having zinc at active site converts carbon dioxide into carbonic acid which dissolves in the dissociated form in the blood and is reached at the lungs where the acid is again converted to carbon dioxide to exhale out.

Thus,

(a) carbonic acid.

H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g) ⇔ H₂CO₃ (aq)

(b) bicarbonate ion. (Acts as a buffer in the blood)

H₂CO₃ (aq) ⇔ H⁺(aq) + HCO₃⁻(aq)