Question

When does the chloride shift occur?

Answer 1

Chloride shift:

1. Chloride shift is known as the Hamburger phenomenon and occurs in the cardiovascular system.
2. It involves the exchange of bicarbonate and chloride ions across the membrane of red blood cells.
3. The carbon dioxide is taken up by the RBCs and the carbonic anhydrase enzyme converts CO₂ into H₂CO₃. This is further broken down into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions.
4. This exchange of ions occurs across the surface of the red blood cells and this phenomenon is vital to maintaining the pH of the blood.