Biology / Unit 13 Bio 3167 short lesson, about 20 seconds
CO2 Transport: Bicarbonate and Carbaminohemoglobin
Captions available
The idea
Blood carries carbon dioxide mostly as bicarbonate ion, formed with help from carbonic anhydrase, with smaller amounts dissolved directly in plasma or bound to hemoglobin as carbaminohemoglobin.
In practice
Bicarbonate formation at the lungs reverses, releasing carbon dioxide gas that then diffuses out through exhalation.
Where people slip
Most carbon dioxide travels as bicarbonate, not directly bound to hemoglobin, despite oxygen's more direct hemoglobin-binding pathway.
Your place on the trail
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