Question

Chloride shift occurs in response to

• A. $\text{HCO}_{3}^{-}$
• B. $\text{K}^{+}$
• C. $\text{H}^{+}$
• D. $\text{Na}^{+}$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Chloride shift occurs in response to $\text{HCO}_{3}^{-} \text{.}$ To maintain electrostatic neutrality of plasma, many chloride ions diffuse from plasma into RBCs and bicarbonate ions pass out. The chloride content of RBCs increases, when oxygenated blood becomes deoxygenated. This is called chloride shift or Hamburger shift.