Question

Draw equations to show how carbon dioxide affects the blood concentration of H+ (and thus the ph) and the blood concentration of HCO₃ indicate the direction of change in these values if blood carbon levels were to rise

Answer 1

When carbon dioxide reacts with water in the blood, it forms bicarbonate (HCO3¯) and hydrogen ions (H+). The increase in carbon dioxide and subsequent decrease in pH reduce the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

When carbon dioxide reacts with water in the blood, it forms bicarbonate (HCO3¯) and hydrogen ions (H+). As the level of carbon dioxide in the blood increases, more hydrogen ions are produced, leading to a decrease in pH. This increase in carbon dioxide and subsequent decrease in pH reduce the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. The oxygen dissociates from the hemoglobin molecule, resulting in a shift of the oxygen dissociation curve to the right.

The reactions involved can be represented as follows:

• CO2 + H2O ⇾ H2CO3
• H2CO3 ⇾ HCO3¯ + H+

Therefore, if blood carbon dioxide levels were to rise, the blood concentration of H+ (and thus the pH) would increase, while the blood concentration of HCO3¯ would also increase.