CO₂ is transported in blood plasma primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by cells during metabolism diffuses into the blood.
2. Once in the blood, a small portion of the CO₂ remains as is, dissolved in the plasma.
3. The majority of the CO₂, however, diffuses into red blood cells.
4. Inside the red blood cells, CO₂ combines with water (H₂O) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. This reaction forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
5. Carbonic acid is unstable in the blood and quickly dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) and hydrogen ions (H⁺).
6. The bicarbonate ions diffuse out of the red blood cells and into the plasma, where they are transported to the lungs. The hydrogen ions remain inside the red blood cells.
7. In the lungs, the process is reversed: bicarbonate ions are converted back into CO₂, which is exhaled.

So, while some CO₂ is transported in the plasma as dissolved gas, the majority is carried as bicarbonate ions.

Question

CO₂ is transported in blood plasma primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by cells during metabolism diffuses into the blood.
2. Once in the blood, a small portion of the CO₂ remains as is, dissolved in the plasma.
3. The majority of the CO₂, however, diffuses into red blood cells.
4. Inside the red blood cells, CO₂ combines with water (H₂O) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. This reaction forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
5. Carbonic acid is unstable in the blood and quickly dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) and hydrogen ions (H⁺).
6. The bicarbonate ions diffuse out of the red blood cells and into the plasma, where they are transported to the lungs. The hydrogen ions remain inside the red blood cells.
7. In the lungs, the process is reversed: bicarbonate ions are converted back into CO₂, which is exhaled.

So, while some CO₂ is transported in the plasma as dissolved gas, the majority is carried as bicarbonate ions.

Knowee AI · Accepted Answer

CO₂ is transported in blood plasma primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by cells during metabolism diffuses into the blood.
2. Once in the blood, a small portion of the CO₂ remains as is, dissolved in the plasma.
3. The majority of the CO₂, however, diffuses into red blood cells.
4. Inside the red blood cells, CO₂ combines with water (H₂O) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. This reaction forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
5. Carbonic acid is unstable in the blood and quickly dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) and hydrogen ions (H⁺).
6. The bicarbonate ions diffuse out of the red blood cells and into the plasma, where they are transported to the lungs. The hydrogen ions remain inside the red blood cells.
7. In the lungs, the process is reversed: bicarbonate ions are converted back into CO₂, which is exhaled.

So, while some CO₂ is transported in the plasma as dissolved gas, the majority is carried as bicarbonate ions.

In which form is CO₂ transported in blood plasma?

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