Describe how hemoglobin transports CO2 and aids in buffering blood.(what does buffering mean?)(add illustration if possible)

Question

Describe how hemoglobin transports CO2 and aids in buffering blood.(what does buffering mean?)(add illustration if possible)

Answer 1

Very complicated and great question! 

CO2 is carried 6 different ways in the blood- There are all kinds of chemical reactions that are taking place- but the short answer is that: Sodium Bicarbonate is the result of one of the reactions- it is a BASE.

 

BASES AND ACIDS ARE IN CONTANT INTERACTION- OUR BODIES OPERATE WITHIN A NARROW pH range: we do not want to much acid, nor to much base.

Buffering helps keep the acids vs bases in check.

CO2 when it has been converted to Sodium Bicarbonate (mentioned above)is a major base. So it helps keep the ratio of acids to bases in a normal range.

Lot more to this- but this hopefully provides a bit of insight.

THOUGHT QUESTION FOR YOU:

What is pH? Why is it important?