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What is CO2?
Waste product of respiration.
If not removed it can lower pH levels in cells(acidosis) and affect metabolic enzymes.
What does CO2 dissolve to form?
Dissolves to form carbaminohaeomoglobin, most is transported in the plasma as hydrocarbonate ions.
How does HCO3 form?
Tissue fluid containing CO2 is forced into the plasma at the venous end of capillaries due to respiration.
Most of that CO2 diffuses with the erythrocytes and combines with water to form carbonic acid.
CO2 + H2O —> H2CO3
What is carbonic acid catalysed by?
Carbonic andryhase
What doe the carbonic acid dissociate into?
Hydrogen ion
H2CO3 —> HCO3- + H+
How is carbonic acid and hydrogen carbonate related?
Carbonic acid is hydrogen carbonate when it is aqueous.
Hydrogen carbonate is carbonic acid but when it is on its own (without the hydrogen ion)
Why is hydrogen carbonate helpful to our body?
It neutralises acids
What is the chloride shift?
When HCO3 does not stay in the erythrocytes but diffuse into the plasma
Why does the chloride shift happen?
To prevent change in the erythrocytes. The chloride ions diffuse with into the erythrocytes to replace the lost negative charge (the HCO3-)
Why is it important to keep acidity levels low?
As enzymes denature in acidic conditions
What is a buffer?
A solution that maintains the pH levels
How do hydrogen ions act as a buffer?
Haemoglobin take up excess H+ ions from dissociation of carbonic acid. That lowers the pH of erythrocytes.
What increases and decrease pH of blood?
HCO3- increases pH (more alkaline)
H+ decreases pH (more acidic)
