The chloride shift refers to the
A)effect of chloride ions on the oxygen dissociation curve.
B)exchange of chloride ions for bicarbonate ions across the red blood cell membrane.
C)exchange of chloride ions for carbon dioxide across alveolar cell membranes.
D)effect of chloride ions on hydrogen ion diffusion from red blood cells.
E)exchange of chloride ions for hemoglobin across the RBC membrane.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The chloride shift refers to the exchange of chloride ions for bicarbonate ions across the red blood cell membrane. This process helps maintain electrochemical balance and pH during gas exchange in the lungs and body tissues. CO2 enters the red blood cells and is converted to bicarbonate ions, which are exchanged for chloride ions to maintain charge balance. When the red blood cells reach the lungs, the process is reversed, with bicarbonate ions leaving the cells and combining with H+ ions to form CO2, which is then exhaled.

The Chloride Shift Refers to the