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A-Level Biology OCR A

Carbonic H Acid Ions Form Hydrogencarbonate Dissociates Describe

When CO2 diffuses into red blood cells, it forms carbonic acid which dissociates into H+ and HCO3-. Bicarbonate ions leave the red blood cells (swapped for Cl-), and H+ binds to hemoglobin, decreasing its affinity for O2 (Bohr effect).

Cuando el CO2 difunde a los glóbulos rojos, forma ácido carbónico que se disocia en H+ y HCO3-. Los iones bicarbonato salen de los glóbulos rojos (cambio por Cl-), y los H+ se unen a la hemoglobina, disminuyendo su afinidad por el O2 (efecto Bohr).

Front Describe what happens when CO2 diffuses from body cells to RBC and forms carbonic acid.
Back Dissociation of carbonic acid to form hydrogencarbonate ions and H+:


  • Carbonic acid (formed from reaction between H2O and CO2 catalysed by carbonic anhydrase) dissociates into H+ and HCO3-
  • Hydrogencarbonate ions diffuse out of RBC, Cl- ions enter cell to maintain charge - chloride shfit
  • Oxyhaemoglobin dissociates under influence of H+ ions - Bohr effect
    • Assisted by higher temp and lower pH
  • Haemoglobin binds to H+ to form haemoglobinic acid

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