AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -carbonic acid, (H2CO3), a compound of the elements hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. It is formed in small amounts when its anhydride, carbon dioxide (CO2), dissolves in water. HCO3− + OH− ⇌ CO32− + H2O (fast) Between pH values of 8 and 10, all the above equilibrium reactions are significant.

Detailed explanation-2: -When CO2 dissolves in seawater to produce aqueous CO2 (CO2(aq)) it also forms carbonic acid (H2CO3) (Eq. 1; Figure 1). Carbonic acid rapidly dissociates (splits apart) to produce bicarbonate ions (HCO3-, Eq. 2).

Detailed explanation-3: -The anion, HCO3-, reacts with water to produce carbonic acid and hydroxide ion. Since HCO3-is an anion from a weak acid, the hydroxide ions are available in the water, making it more basic.

Detailed explanation-4: -In our body, carbon dioxide (CO2) combines with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid. H2O+CO2⟶H2CO3. Carbonic acid undergoes dissociation as, H2CO3⇌H++HCO3−

Detailed explanation-5: -On the venous side of systemic capillaries CO2 enters red blood cells (RBC) where it combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA) which is found in RBC’s. Carbonic acid then dissociates to form bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+).