Question

List all the ways in which CO2 is transported in the blood. Of these, how is the majority of the CO2, transported in the blood?

Answer 1

CO2 is transported in three forms from tissues to the alveoli: a) In dissolved form through plasma; b) As bicarbonate ions; c) by RBC as HbCO2.

Step-by-step explanation:

When oxygen reaches the body cells, oxidation of glucose takes place during which CO2 is released along with H2O and energy. CO2 diffuses out of the tissues into the blood capillaries where it is transported to the lungs in three forms:

1. In dissolves form in plasma: About 7% of CO2 gets transported in dissolved form. It gets dissolved in the blood plasma and is carried to the lungs.

2. As bicarbonate ions: about 70% of CO2 is converted into bicarbonate ion and transported in plasma. Within the RBC there is an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. When CO2 enters the RBC, it reacts with water to form carbonic acid which further dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ion. Both these reactions occur in the presence of carbonic anhydrase enzyme. The HCO3- ion formed in the RBC quickly diffuses into the plasma, where they are carried to the lung.

3. By RBCs as carbaminohemoglobin: About 20-25% of CO2 is transported as HBCO2. CO2 binds with the amino group of globin protein which is a part of Hb.

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide is the prime waste component of aerobic respiration. Too little or too much carbon dioxide in the blood can result in extreme issues. In order to make this safe and sound, carbon dioxide is transported in the blood in three ways. That is, in the form of carbamino compounds, hydrogen carbonate, and in the form of a dissolved state.

Approximately 30 percent of all the carbon dioxide is mediated in the form of carbamino compounds. At high quantity, carbon dioxide binds directly with amino acids and the amine groups of hemoglobin to produce carbaminohaemoglobin.

Almost 60 percent, that is, the majority of the carbon dioxide is transported in the blood in the form of bicarbonate ions or hydrogen carbonate. The diffusion of carbon dioxide takes place in the RBCs and gets transformed into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions with the help of an enzyme known as carbonic anhydrase.

Approximately 10 percent of all the carbon dioxide is transported in the form of a dissolved state in plasma. The concentration of gas dissolved in a liquid relies upon its partial pressure and its solubility. In spite of its solubility, only some of the carbon dioxide in the blood is in reality transported in the form of dissolved state in plasma.