In: Anatomy and Physiology
How is carbonic anhydrase important in gas transport?
- Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloenzyme containing zinc ion. It catalyses the following reaction :-
CO2 + H20 --> H2CO3 --> H+ + HCO3- . This is a reversible reaction catalysed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
- The role of carbonic anhydrase in gas transport is in the transportation of carbon dioxide in the blood in the form of bicarbonate ions.
- About 70% of carbon dioxide is transported as bicarbonates in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs contain very high level of carbonic anhydrase that helps in the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid and bicarbonates and thus helping in transportation of carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide released from the tissues enter the plasma and immediately diffuses into the RBCs where carbon dioxide is converted into carbonic acid which dissociates into bicarbonates and hydrogen ions. This is a reversible reaction.
- Thus, the function of carbonic anhydrase in gas transport is to transport carbon dioxide in the blood as bicarbonates.