The Chloride Shift & the Bohr Effect

Question 1

What happens during the chloride shift?

Answer 1

respiration produces co2
co2 reacts with h2o to form carbonic acid and is catalysed by enzyme carbonic anhydrase

carbonic acid dissociates to form hydrogen ions and hydrogen carbonate ions

hydrogen carbonate ions diffuse into the blood plasma
chloride ions diffuse from plasma into the erythocyte (RBC) to prevent a big change in pH

this is called the chloride shift

Question 2

What happens during the Bohr Effect?

Answer 2

h+ change the shape of haemoglobin which reduces its affinity for o2
forms haemoglobinic acid

buffers pH (prevents build up of H+)

more o2 is released where cells are respiring a lot

CO2 combines with haemoglobin to form carboaminohaemoglobin