During CO2 transport, HCO3 diffuses from erythrocytes to plasma and in turn upsets the ionic balance momentarily. In order to keep the ionic balance, an equal number of Cl− pass into the erythrocytes from plasma. The process is known as
A
Hamburger phenomenon
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B
Bicarbonate shift
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C
Carbonation
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D
Bohr's effect
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Solution
The correct option is C Hamburger phenomenon
About 70% of CO2 is converted to bicarbonate ions
(HCO−3) and transported in plasma. CO2 diffuses into
RBCs, combines with-water and forms carbonic acid {H2CO3).
H2CO3 being unstable quickly dissociates Into H+ and
HCO−3. HCO−3 ions are quite diffusible. Therefore,
HCO−3 diffuses from RBCs into the plasma. To maintain the
ionic balance CI− ions move from the plasma into the RBCs. This
exchange is called chloride shift or Hamburger's phenomenon.