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AIPMTAIPMT 1991Breathing and Exchange of Gases
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Solution:
During transport of CO2 in the blood, about 70% of CO2 released by respiring tissue cells is transported as bicarbonate ions. It diffuses into the plasma and then into the RBCs. Here, CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid. This reaction is catalyzed by a zinc containing enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. A small amount of bicarbonate ions is transported in the RBCs, whereas most of them diffuse into the plasma to be carried by it.