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.

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