Overview Forms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the Blood Dissolved CO2 Bicarbonate (HCO3-) Carbaminohemoglobin ~5-10% of total CO2 content 70% of total CO2 content 20-25% of total CO2 content CO2 bound to N-terminus amino group of hemoglobin (Hb) Stabilizes taut form of Hb → right-shift of O2-Hb dissociation curve (Bohr effect) → favors O2 release Transport of CO2 in blood (peripheral tissues → RBC → lungs) peripheral tissues metabolically active tissues produce CO2, which diffuses across the cell membrane and eventually into the RBC at the level of the capllaries RBC carbaminohemoglobin login to view 13 more bullets bicarbonate (HCO3-) login to view 7 more bullets lung the reactions mentioned above occur in reverse inside the lung login to view 13 more bullets