Question

Although much carbon dioxide is carried in the blood, yet blood does not become acidic because

• A. $CO_{2}$ is continously diffused through the tissues and is not allowed to accumulate
• B. $CO_{2}$ combines with water to form $H_{2}CO_{3}$ , which is neutralized by $N a_{2} C O_{3}$
• C. In $CO_{2}$ transport, blood buffers play an important role
• D. $CO_{2}$ is absorbed by leucocytes

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Nearly 20-25 per cent of carbon dioxide is transported by RBCs whereas 70% is carried as bicarbonate and about 7 % of carbon dioxide is carried in a dissolved state through plasma.
Blood does not become acidic due to buffering action. Bicarbonates act as buffering agents.
$H_{2}O+ \, CO_{2}\rightleftharpoons \, H_{2}CO_{3}\rightleftharpoonsH^{+}+HCO_{3}^{-}$