Question

What would happen if no carbonic anhydrase were present in red blood cells?

Short answer

If no carbonic anhydrase were present in red blood cells then carbon dioxide would not be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Introduction

The carbonic anhydrases form a family of enzymes that catalyze the interconversion between carbon dioxide and water and the dissociated ions of carbonic acid. The active site of most carbonic anhydrases contains a zinc ion. They are therefore classified as metalloenzymes.

Step 2. Explanation

• Without carbonic anhydrase, carbon dioxide would not be hydrolyzed into carbonic acid or bicarbonate.

• Therefore, very little carbon dioxide would be transported in the blood away from the tissues.