Carbaminohemoglobin

Carbaminohemoglobin is a compound formed when carbon dioxide (CO2) binds to hemoglobin in the blood. This process is a part of the body's mechanism for transporting carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs, where it can be exhaled.

Formation

Carbaminohemoglobin is formed when carbon dioxide reacts with the amino groups on the globin chains of hemoglobin. This reaction is reversible and is influenced by the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and the pH of the blood. The formation of carbaminohemoglobin can be represented by the following chemical equation:

CO2 + Hb-NH2 ⇌ Hb-NH-COOH

where Hb represents hemoglobin.

Role in Carbon Dioxide Transport

In the tissues, where the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is high, carbon dioxide diffuses into the red blood cells and binds to hemoglobin, forming carbaminohemoglobin. This process facilitates the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. In the lungs, where the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is low, carbon dioxide is released from carbaminohemoglobin and exhaled.

Bohr Effect

The formation of carbaminohemoglobin is also related to the Bohr effect, which describes how the binding of carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions to hemoglobin decreases its affinity for oxygen. This effect helps in the efficient release of oxygen in the tissues and the uptake of carbon dioxide.

Haldane Effect

The Haldane effect describes how deoxygenated hemoglobin has a higher affinity for carbon dioxide than oxygenated hemoglobin. This effect enhances the uptake of carbon dioxide in the tissues and its release in the lungs.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the formation and function of carbaminohemoglobin is important in the study of respiratory physiology and in the management of conditions that affect gas exchange, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory acidosis.

See Also

• Hemoglobin
• Carbon dioxide
• Bohr effect
• Haldane effect
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Respiratory acidosis