Final answer:
Most of the carbon dioxide in the blood is transported as bicarbonate ions, which accounts for about 70 percent of CO2 transport; this transformation is facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the transportation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Most of the carbon dioxide present in the blood is in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO3−). When CO2 diffuses into red blood cells, it is quickly converted by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase into carbonic acid (H2CO3), which then dissociates into bicarbonate (HCO3−) and hydrogen ions (H+). Approximately 70 percent of CO2 is carried in the blood in this form. The bicarbonate buffer system plays a crucial role in maintaining the acid-base balance in the bloodstream.