The chloride shift occurs in order to
A) force oxygen out of the blood and into tissues.
B) transport bicarbonate ions into the blood plasma.
C) produce salt for the cytosol of blood cells.
D) produce carbonic acid.
E) pump hydrochloric acid out of gastric cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The purpose of the chloride shift is to transport bicarbonate ions from red blood cells into the plasma. This occurs during the exchange of gases in the lungs and tissues. Carbon dioxide diffuses into red blood cells and is converted to bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate is transported out of the red blood cell into the plasma in exchange for chloride ions, which enter the red blood cell. This is known as the chloride shift. The bicarbonate is transported in the plasma to the lungs where it is converted back into carbon dioxide and exhaled.

The Chloride Shift Occurs in Order to