Question

How does CO₂ play a role in maintaining ph of blood?

Answer 1

Dear student,

Carbon dioxide is waste product. It must be excreted out from the body. Carbon dioxide is carried by the blood from the tissues to the lungs in three forms. Physical solution, Bicarbonate ions and Carbaminohaemoglobin

CO₂ in Bicarbonate ions form is about 70% of carbon dioxide released by respiring tissue cells diffuse into the plasma and then into red blood corpuscles. Here, CO₂ combines with water to form carbonic acid. The reaction is catalyzed by a zinc containing enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. Hydrogen ions are picked by proteins and bicarbonate ions are joined by bases (Na+, K+) to maintain pH of the blood.

Regards.