Question

What is the role of carbonic anhydrase in the transport of carbon dioxide in our body?

Answer 1

Again, blood acts as a transport medium. ... An enzyme present in red blood cells, carbonic anhydrase, aids in the conversion of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions. When red blood cells reach the lungs, the same enzyme helps to convert the bicarbonate ions back to carbon dioxide, which we breathe out.

Answer 2

The role of carbonic anhydrase in the transport of carbon dioxide in our body

• Carbonic anhydrase is present in the red blood cells of the body and plays a critical role in the transport of ‘carbon dioxide’.  

• $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ combines with ‘water to form carbonic acid’, a process catalysed by carbonic anhydrase.  

• The unstable carbonic acid is immediately converted to bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.  

• The bicarbonate ions diffuse out to the plasma in exchange of chloride ions, a process known as chloride shift or ‘Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium’ or ‘Hamburger effect’.  

• In the lungs, the bicarbonate is taken up by ‘red blood cells’ is exchange of chloride.

• The hydrogen ions dissociate from haemoglobin, bind to bicarbonate and forms ‘carbonic acid’.  

• This is converted to $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ and water by the action of ‘carbonic anhydrase’ and the $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ is expelled from lungs during exhalation.