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Q. Which of the following equation shows the role of carbonic anhydrase enzyme in the transport of carbon dioxide by blood?

Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Solution:

Equation given in option a shows the role of carbonic anhydrase enzyme in the transport of carbon dioxide by blood. In erythrocytes the carbon dioxide combines with water and is transported. Carbonic anhydrase, a zinc containing enzyme assists rapid inter-conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, protons and bicarbonate ions. This enzyme catalyzes the decomposition of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water, facilitating the transfer of carbon dioxide from tissues to blood and from blood to alveolar air.
$\underset{\text{carbon dioxide + water}}{CO _2+ H _2 O} \rightleftarrows \underset{\text{carbonic acid}}{H _2 CO _3} \rightleftarrows \underset{\text{bicarbonate + hydrogen ion}}{HCO _3^{-}+ H ^{+}}$