Carbon Dioxide reacts with water in blood plasma to form carbonic acid.Suppose that you are a molecule of carbon dioxide. Describe the chemical reactions that take place when you enter the blood and when you leave the blood. Explain what determines how these reactions occur. Be sure to include all terms from the chapter that are related to the chemical reaction.
As a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2), when you enter the blood, you can undergo a chemical reaction with water (H2O) in the blood plasma to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This reaction is facilitated by an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase, which speeds up the reaction rate.
The chemical reaction can be represented as follows:
CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3
When you leave the blood, the reverse reaction takes place, and carbonic acid breaks down back into CO2 and H2O. This happens mainly in the lungs, where carbonic acid is converted back into CO2 gas, which can then be exhaled from the body.
H2CO3 ⇌ CO2 + H2O
The rate and direction of these reactions are determined by a few factors:
1. Concentration of reactants: The concentration of CO2 and H2O in the blood and the surrounding tissues affects the rate of the reaction. Increased concentration of either reactant promotes the formation of carbonic acid, while decreased concentration favors the reverse reaction and the production of CO2.
2. Enzyme activity: Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that enhances the reaction rate. The presence and activity of this enzyme play a key role in facilitating the conversion between CO2 and carbonic acid. Higher levels of carbonic anhydrase promote a faster reaction.
3. Temperature: Reaction rates are influenced by temperature. In general, higher temperatures increase the rate of the reaction, while lower temperatures slow it down. However, it's important to note that in the human body, the temperature is tightly regulated, and the reaction rate is mainly controlled by other factors.
These reactions are essential for maintaining the acid-base balance and regulating carbon dioxide levels in the body. By converting CO2 into carbonic acid, the blood can transport and eliminate excess CO2 through the respiratory system.