Gas Transport in the Blood 2

Question 1

describe and explain the means of CO2 carriage in the blood and give relative values

Answer 1

means of carbon dioxide transport in the blood;
solution - 10%
bicarbonate - 60%
carbamino compounds - 30%

Henry’s Law - carbon dioxide is 20 x more soluble than oxygen

Question 2

state the bicarbonate formation and chloride shift

Answer 2

most CO2 is transported in the blood dissolved as bicarbonate formed via;
CO2 + H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO-3

first reversible reaction catalysed by carbonic anhydrase
occurs in red blood cells

chloride shift - the exchange between chlorine and carbonate between plasma and erythrocytes to ensure there is on build up of electrical charge during the gas exchange (maintain ionic equilibrium)

Question 3

describe the haldane effect and explain how this work in synchrony with the Boher effect

Answer 3

Haldane effect - removing the oxygen from Hb increases the ability of Hb to pick up carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide generate H+

the Bohr effect and Haldane effect work in synchrony to facilitate oxygen liberation and uptake of carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide generated H+ at tissues

Question 4

explain how the liberation of carbon dioxide is facilitated a the lungs

Answer 4

at the lungs the Hb picks up oxygen
this weakens its ability to bind carbon dioxide and H+
refer to PP

Question 5

describe carbamino compounds

Answer 5

formed by combination of carbon dioxide with terminal amine groups in blood proteins
especially globin of Hb to give carbamino-haemoglobin
rapid without enzyme
reduced Hb can bind more CO2 than HbO2