What percentage of carbon dioxide is transported as dissolved gas in our body?

The percentage of carbon dioxide transported as dissolved gas in the body is about 7%. This form of transport occurs primarily in the plasma, which is the liquid portion of the blood. When carbon dioxide enters the bloodstream from tissues, a portion of it dissolves directly in the plasma, where it can be transported to the lungs for exhalation. The remaining carbon dioxide is transported in other forms: a significant portion binds to hemoglobin to form carbamino compounds, and a notable percentage is converted to bicarbonate ions through reactions facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Understanding these different transport mechanisms is crucial for grasping how the body regulates carbon dioxide levels and maintains acid-base balance.