How is the bulk of carbon dioxide carried in blood?
A) as carbonic acid in the plasma
B) chemically combined with the heme portion of hemoglobin
C) as the bicarbonate ion in the plasma after first entering the red blood cells
D) chemically combined with the amino acids of hemoglobin as carbaminohemoglobin in the red blood cells

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The majority of carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as bicarbonate ions in the plasma, after it first enters red blood cells and is converted from carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.

How Is the Bulk of Carbon Dioxide Carried in Blood