Question

During the transportation of gases, to maintain the ionic balance, chloride ions shift from

• A. RBCs to plasma
• B. Plasma to RBCs
• C. Lungs to blood
• D. Blood to lungs

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Plasma to RBCs

Chloride shift is a process that occurs in a cardiovascular system, It is the exchange of bicarbonate (HCO3${}^{-}$) and chloride (Cl${}^{-}$) ions across the membrane of red blood cells. In this, the chloride ions shift from plasma to RBCs and bicarbonate ions shifts from RBCs to plasma to maintain the ionic balance. During the transportation of gases, the rise in intracellular bicarbonate leads to bicarbonate export and chloride intake. The opposite process occurs in the pulmonary capillaries of the lungs.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.