A Level Biology Revision "Transport of Carbon Dioxide (OCR)"

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Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood using three methods: dissolving directly into plasma, combining with hemoglobin, and forming hydrogen carbonate ions. These processes involve reactions with hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase, with hemoglobin also acting as a buffer to maintain stable blood pH levels.

Insights

  • Carbon dioxide produced during aerobic respiration is transported in the blood through three methods: dissolved in plasma (5%), combined with hemoglobin (20%), and carried as hydrogen carbonate ions (75%).
  • Hemoglobin reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbaminohemoglobin, which breaks down in the lungs. Additionally, carbon dioxide can form carbonic acid with water, leading to the production of hydrogen carbonate ions. The process involves a chloride shift to maintain charge balance and hemoglobin acts as a buffer by binding to hydrogen ions, stabilizing blood pH levels.

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Recent questions

  • How is carbon dioxide transported in the blood?

    Through three methods: dissolving in plasma, combining with hemoglobin, and as hydrogen carbonate ions.

  • What happens to carbaminohemoglobin in the lungs?

    It reversibly breaks down due to differing carbon dioxide levels.

  • How is carbonic acid formed in red blood cells?

    Carbon dioxide reacts with water facilitated by carbonic anhydrase.

  • What is the role of hemoglobin in carbon dioxide transport?

    Acts as a buffer by binding to hydrogen ions.

  • How does the body prevent a pH imbalance during carbon dioxide transport?

    Through a chloride shift and hemoglobin acting as a buffer.

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Summary

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Carbon Dioxide Transport in Blood Cells

  • Carbon dioxide produced during aerobic respiration in cells is transported in the blood to the lungs for exhalation. Three methods are involved: 5% dissolves directly into blood plasma, 20% combines with hemoglobin to form carbaminohemoglobin, and the remaining 75% is carried as hydrogen carbonate ions in the blood plasma.
  • Hemoglobin in red blood cells reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbaminohemoglobin, which reversibly breaks down in the lungs due to differing carbon dioxide levels. Carbon dioxide can also react with water to form carbonic acid, facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells, leading to the formation of hydrogen carbonate ions.
  • The process involves a chloride shift to maintain charge balance as hydrogen carbonate ions diffuse out of red blood cells, preventing a pH imbalance. Hemoglobin acts as a buffer by binding to hydrogen ions, forming hemoglobinic acid, ensuring stable blood pH levels during carbon dioxide transport in the blood.
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