Question

In which form are bicarbonates carried in the blood plasma?

• A. Magnesium bicarbonate
• B. Potassium bicarbonate
• C. Sodium bicarbonate
• D. Sodium carbonate

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Sodium bicarbonate

There are three ways in which carbon dioxide is transported in the blood: about 5 % of carbon dioxide is transported unchanged, simply dissolved in the plasma; about 10 % of carbon dioxide is transported bound to hemoglobin and plasma proteins; the majority (approximately 70%) of carbon dioxide is carried in the blood as sodium bicarbonate in the plasma and potassium bicarbonate in the RBC.
Hence, Option C is correct.