Question

define chloride shift, where does it occur and why?

Answer 1

In RBC , when carbon dioxide is transported , the HCO3- ion comes out of the cell crossing cell membrane. To maintain ionic equilibrium , Cl- ions are transported inside the RBC cell .This hypothesis is called Chloride shift.

The process of chloride shift occurs in cardiovascular system inside the RBC.

This process takes place to maintain ionic equilibrium as bicarbonate ion comes out of the cell , so any other ion must move inward otherwise the CO2 transport will stop as this bicarbonate again will make H2CO3 .