Question

Assertion (A) $C{O}_2$ transport occurs very fast through RBCs.
Reason (R) Enzyme carbonic anhydrase is absent in blood plasma.

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are correct, but R is not correct explanation of A
• C. A is correct, but R is incorrect
• D. A is incorrect, but R is correct.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

A is correct, but R is incorrect

The largest fraction of carbon dioxide, nearly 70% is converted to bicarbonate ions $\left(HC{O}_3^{-}\right)$ in the RBCs with the help of carbonic anhydrase and is then transported to plasma.

Although this reaction also occurs in plasma, it is thousand times faster in erythrocytes because they contain carbonic anhydrase enzyme.