What are the major transport mechanisms for CO2 Explain?

● Through plasma:

Approximately 7% of the CO₂ is transported through the plasma in a dissolved state. Carbon dioxide will combine with the water to form

 As the process of forming carbonic acid is slow, only a small amount of carbon dioxide is carried this way.

● Through RBCs:

Approx 25% of CO₂ is transported with the help of red blood cells as carbaminohemoglobin. Carbon dioxide will bind to the amino groups on the polypeptide chains of hemoglobin and form a compound which is known as carbaminohemoglobin.

● Through sodium bicarbonate:

Approximately 70% of CO₂ is transported within the sort of sodium bicarbonate. As CO₂ diffuses into the plasma, an outsized amount of it combines with water to make acid within the presence of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that contains zinc that accelerates the formation of acid. This carbonic acid formed will dissociate into bicarbonate \( (HCO_3^{ –})\) and hydrogen ions (H⁺).