What is the approximate percentage of #CO_2# combined with globin?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Dec 5, 2016

About 23 % of carbon dioxide is combined with hemoglobin.

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide is produced by all the cells in the body.

It diffuses into the capillaries where about 7 % of it is transported as #"CO"_2"(aq)"# in the plasma.

CO2 Transport
(From SlideShare)

The remaining 93 % diffuses into the red blood cells.

In the red blood cells, about 23 % combines chemically with hemoglobin to form carbohemoglobin, #"Hb···CO"_2#.

The other 70 % is converted to #"HCO"_3^"-"# ions, which are then transported in the plasma.

Related questions
See all questions in Percent Composition
Impact of this question
3846 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License