NEETZoologyBreathing and Exchange of Gases
What is the main way that CO₂ is transported in the body?
Options
- AAs a dissolved gas in the blood
- BAs carbamino-haemoglobin
- CAs oxyhaemoglobin
- DAs bicarbonate (HCO₃)
Correct answer
D. As bicarbonate (HCO₃)
Step-by-step solution
Blood is the medium of transport for O2 and CO2. About 97 per cent of O2 is transported by RBCs in the blood. The remaining 3 per cent of O2 is carried in a dissolved state through the plasma. Nearly 20-25 per cent of CO2 is transported by RBCs whereas 70 per cent of it is carried as bicarbonate. About 7 per cent of CO2 is carried in a dissolved state through plasma.