The daily production of hydrogen ions from CO2 is primarily buffered by which of the following?
Correct Answer: Red blood cell hemoglobin
Description: Aerobic metabolism produces 13,000 to 24,000 mmol CO2 per day. This yields close to that amount of H+ ions produced per day the reaction: CO2 + H2O - H2CO3 - H+ + HCO3-At the tissues, CO2 diffuses into the red blood cells, where the enzyme carbonic anhydrase accelerates the above reaction.The H+ produced is buffered mainly by a large amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.Bicarbonate is not an effective buffer of volatile acid (from CO2).
Category:
Microbiology
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