Which form of co2 transport accounts for the least amount of co2 transported in blood?

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This article provides an overview of the transport of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood including the three main methods of transport, the effect of oxygen on CO2 carriage and the impact of CO2 on the acid-base balance of the body.  

Production of CO2

CO2 is produced as a waste product of respiration within the mitochondria of cells.1 CO2 is then transported to the lungs for excretion via the three mechanisms discussed below.

Transport of CO2

CO2 is transported within the body in three forms: 2

• Dissolved CO2
• Bicarbonate
• Carbamino compounds

Arterial (%)

Venous (%)

Dissolved CO2

5

10

Bicarbonate

90

60

Carbamino compounds

5

30

Table 1. The three forms in which CO2 is transported and the relative percentage in arterial and venous blood respectively.

Dissolved component

CO2 is 20 times more soluble in blood than oxygen is. As a result, the dissolved component of CO2 is more significant than the respective dissolved component of oxygen.

Bicarbonate

The majority of CO2 is transported via bicarbonate. CO2 diffuses down its concentration gradient out of tissues and into red blood cells (RBCs). Once inside the RBC, the enzyme carbonic anhydrase catalyses the conversion of CO2 into carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is then hydrolysed into H+ ions and HCO3– (bicarbonate). The H+ ion is bound by haemoglobin which buffers the process. The reverse occurs at the lungs where H+ dissociates from haemoglobin and combines with bicarbonate to form carbonic acid which is then converted back to CO2 and water. This reaction is again catalysed by carbonic anhydrase.

Chloride shift

Chloride shift refers to the exchange of bicarbonate (HCO3−) and chloride (Cl−) across the membrane of red blood cells (RBCs). CO2 diffuses freely into RBCs but as HCO3– ions are charged they cannot easily cross the cell membrane to leave the RBC. As a result, a carrier protein is utilised to allow HCO3− to leave the RBC in exchange for chloride ions. This also allows the RBC to maintain its electroneutrality. 

Carbamino compounds

CO2 directly combines with haemoglobin to form carbamino compounds. The affinity of haemoglobin to CO2 depends on whether haemoglobin is in its oxy or deoxygenated state.

Haldane effect

The Haldane effect describes the ability of deoxygenated haemoglobin to carry more CO2 than oxygenated haemoglobin. This occurs for two reasons:

1. Deoxygenated haemoglobin forms carbamino complexes more readily with CO2 (hence the greater proportion of CO2 carried via this method in venous deoxygenated blood).
2. Deoxygenated haemoglobin is a better buffer of H+ ions than oxygenated haemoglobin. This shifts the equilibrium in the equation for the formation of bicarbonate to the right and therefore increases the amount of HCO3– formed.

The Bohr effect

The Bohr effect is not strictly related to CO2 transport but is the reverse of the Haldane effect. The Bohr effect refers to the reduction in affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen in the presence of a reduction in pH or an increase in CO2. This phenomenon allows offloading of oxygen at the tissues where the pH is lower as CO2 is produced there. It also facilitates the uptake of oxygen at the lungs where the CO2 concentration is lower, and the pH is higher.

Clinical relevance: Acid-base balance

Effective CO2 transport is a crucial part of the maintenance of the body’s acid-base balance. A build-up of CO2 leads to respiratory acidosis as the body’s compensatory buffer mechanisms are overwhelmed and excess CO2 causes an accumulation of H+ ions. Respiratory acidosis is caused by either increased production of CO2 or a failure of CO2 elimination.

Increased production can be caused by hypercatabolic disorders such as pheochromocytoma or malignant hyperthermia.

Failure of elimination is caused by inadequate alveolar ventilation which can be caused by a range of pathology including neuromuscular disorders, opiate overdose or central respiratory depression as seen in COPD.

Key points

• CO2 is produced in tissues as a waste product of respiration and is excreted in the lungs.
• CO2is transported in the blood in three forms: dissolved, bicarbonate and carbamino compounds.
• Deoxygenated haemoglobin is able to carry more CO2 than oxygenated haemoglobin.
• Removal of carbon dioxide is vital to maintain a normal acid-base balance.

References

1. James Doyle; Jeffrey S. Cooper. Physiology, Carbon Dioxide Transport. StatPearls. Available from: [LINK]

   Which form of CO2 transport accounts for the greatest amount of CO2 transported in blood?

   Thus, bicarbonate is the primary means by which carbon dioxide is transport occurs throughout the bloodstream according to the equation CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3 --> H+ + HCO3-.

   In what form is CO2 transported in the blood?

   Carbon dioxide is transported in blood as either dissolved carbon dioxide (5%), bicarbonate ions (70–90%), or carbamino compounds (5–10%). The majority of carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonate ions.

   Which of the following is the most common way for CO2 to travel the blood stream?

   Carbon dioxide can be transported through the blood via three methods. It is dissolved directly in the blood, bound to plasma proteins or hemoglobin, or converted into bicarbonate. The majority of carbon dioxide is transported as part of the bicarbonate system.

   Which of the following is the most common way for CO2 to travel the bloodstream quizlet?

   What is the most common method of carbon dioxide transport? as bicarbonate ions in the plasma. Carbon dioxide reacts with water inside RBCs to form carbonic acid, which dissociates into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. About 70% of carbon dioxide travels in the plasma as bicarbonate.