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Blood do not become acidic although it c...

Blood do not become acidic although it carries `CO_(2)` because `:-`

A

`CO_(2)` is continously diffused through tissues

B

`CO_(2)` combines with `H_(2)O` to form `HCO_(3)`

C

In `CO_(2)` transport buffers plays an important role

D

`CO_(2)` is absorbed by WBC

Text Solution

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The correct Answer is:
### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Role of Carbon Dioxide**: - Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a non-metallic oxide that can form an acid when dissolved in water. However, blood does not become acidic despite carrying CO₂. 2. **Buffer System in Blood**: - The primary reason blood does not become acidic is due to the presence of a buffer system. Buffers are substances that help maintain a stable pH in a solution. 3. **Red Blood Cells (RBCs)**: - Red blood cells (RBCs) play a crucial role in transporting CO₂. They have a biconcave shape and are responsible for gas exchange. 4. **Diffusion of CO₂ into RBCs**: - CO₂ enters the RBCs through a process called diffusion. This process allows gases to move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. 5. **Formation of Carbonic Acid**: - Once inside the RBCs, CO₂ combines with water (H₂O) to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which is one of the fastest enzymes in the body. 6. **Dissociation of Carbonic Acid**: - Carbonic acid can dissociate into protons (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻). The release of protons could lower the pH, making the blood acidic. 7. **Role of Hemoglobin**: - The free protons (H⁺) released from the dissociation of carbonic acid bind to hemoglobin. This binding prevents the pH from dropping significantly, thus maintaining a neutral pH in the blood. 8. **Bicarbonate Transport and Chloride Shift**: - The bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) are transported into the blood plasma. To maintain electrical neutrality, chloride ions (Cl⁻) move into the RBCs in a process known as the chloride shift. 9. **Conclusion**: - Through the buffer system, the binding of protons to hemoglobin, and the chloride shift, the blood maintains a stable pH and does not become acidic despite carrying CO₂. ### Final Answer: Blood does not become acidic although it carries CO₂ because of the buffer system present in the blood, which includes the binding of protons to hemoglobin and the transport of bicarbonate ions. ---
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