1. Your cells constantly produce CO 2 as a normal part of their activity. The CO 2 is carried to your lungs through the bloodstream, and then is eliminated as you exhale. This process involves two chemical reactions. CO 2

2. 1. As it enters the blood, the CO 2 reacts with water to produce a highly soluble compound called carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 ). Write the chemical equation of this reaction. = Oxygen = Carbon = Hydrogen +

3. 2. One problem with this chemical reaction is that CO 2 reacts very slowly with H 2 O. Explain why this chemical reaction is slow and difficult to start.

4. 3. The reaction of CO 2 with H 2 O to form H 2 CO 3 is slightly exothermic. Identify the graph that best represents this reaction, AND explain your answer. CO 2 H2OH2O H2CO 3 CO 2 H2OH2O H2CO 3 CO 2 H2OH2O H2CO 3 Graph AGraph BGraph C

5. 4. To catalyze the reaction of CO 2 with H 2 O, blood cells contain carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme. Describe how carbonic anhydrase catalyzes this reaction.

6. 5. Explain how carbonic anhydrase is able to change the A.E. of this reaction.

7. 6. Explain why your body only needs a little bit of carbonic anhydrase to process all of the CO 2 in your body. CO 2 Carbonic Acid H2OH2O

8. 7. Some people are unable to make carbonic anhydrase, and therefore cannot get rid of CO 2 fast enough. Explain why these people could not use a different enzyme to catalyze the reaction.

9. 8. Explain why a very high fever could cause carbonic anhydrase to stop working properly. Use the word “substrate” in your answer.