Q How is most of the carbon dioxide produced in the tissues transported to the lungs?
Question Info
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Explanation
Most of the carbon dioxide produced in the tissues is transported to the lungs as bicarbonates. Carbon dioxide reacts with water in the presence of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate ions are then transported through the bloodstream to the lungs, where they combine with hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid, which then breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is then exhaled out of the body. While a small amount of carbon dioxide can be transported in the blood in a dissolved state or attached to haemoglobin, the majority is transported as bicarbonates. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
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