Transport of substances - carbon dioxide

How is carbonic acid formed?

It is produced in cells during respiration, diffuses into red blood cells and dissolves in water, catalysed by the enzyme carbonic a hydrate

How is hydrogen carbonate formed?

Carbonic acid dissociates into protons (H+) and hydrogen carbonate ions which diffuse into the plasma

What is the chloride shift?

When chloride ions diffuse into the red blood cells to maintain electrochemical neutrality in the cells in a one-to-one exchange between hydrogen carbonate and chloride ions.

How is carbon transported in blood?

85% is carried in the plasma as hydrogen carbonate. 10-20% is carried as carbaminohaemoglobin. 5% is dissolved in plasma to form carbonic acid

How is carbaminohaemoglobin formed?

Carbon dioxide diffuses into red blood cells and attaches to haemoglobin

What substances are transported by the blood?

Heat, hormones, nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, glucose), excretory products (urea)

How are hormones transported in blood?

The endocrine system secretes them directly into the blood, which go through the circulatory system and have their effect only on the target organs as they have the correct receptors in their cell membranes

How is urea transported in blood?

It is made in the liver and transported via the hepatic vein to the heart, then the blood that goes to the kidneys in the renal artery is filtered and returned to the renal vein with less urea