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.