EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Final answer: The majority of carbon dioxide produced by our body cells is transported to the lungs as bicarbonates.

Detailed explanation-2: -There are three means by which carbon dioxide is transported in the bloodstream from peripheral tissues and back to the lungs: (1) dissolved gas, (2) bicarbonate, and (3) carbaminohemoglobin bound to hemoglobin (and other proteins).

Detailed explanation-3: -The majority of carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ions. This is because erythrocytes have a high activity of carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between carbon dioxide and water.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the blood, CO2 is carried in several different forms. Approximately 80% to 90% is dissolved in water, 5% to 10% is dissolved in the plasma, and 5% to 10% is bound to hemoglobin.

Detailed explanation-5: -The hemoglobin (Hb) molecule within the red blood cell (RBC) carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, transports carbon dioxide from tissues back to lungs, and helps maintain acid–base balance.