NEETZoologyBreathing and Exchange of Gases
What is the main function of carbonic anhydrase?
Options
- ABinds O₂ to haemoglobin
- BBinds CO₂ to haemoglobin
- CDissociates CO₂ from haemoglobin
- DDissociates O₂ from haemoglobin
Correct answer
B. Binds CO₂ to haemoglobin
Step-by-step solution
Carbonic anhydrase helps in the binding of CO₂ to haemoglobin. CO2 is carried by haemoglobin as carbamino-haemoglobin (about 20-25 per cent). This binding is related to the partial pressure of CO2. pO2 is a major factor which could affect this binding. When pCO2 is high and pO2 is low as in the tissues, more binding of carbon dioxide occurs whereas, when the pCO2 is low and pO2 is high as in the alveoli, dissociation of CO2 from carbamino-haemoglobin takes place, i.e., CO2 which is bound to haemoglobin from the tis