carbonic anhydrase

views updated May 09 2018

carbonic anhydrase An enzyme, present in red blood cells and kidney cells, that catalyses the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid, which subsequently dissociates: CO2 + H2O ↔ H2CO3 H2CO3 ↔ H+ + HCO3

This reaction is one of the fastest known and controls the elimination of carbon dioxide from the body and the pH of urine. It also facilitates the transfer of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the blood and from the blood to the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. See also chloride shift; haemoglobinic acid.

carbonic anhydrase

views updated May 29 2018

carbonic anhydrase (kar-bon-ik an-hy-drayz) n. an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water or the combination of carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid. It therefore facilitates the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.

carbonic anhydrase

views updated Jun 08 2018

carbonic anhydrase An enzyme, found largely in erythrocytes, which catalyses the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid.