Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste product made when the body
breaks down food for energy (metabolism). The kidneys and lungs
regulate the levels of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonic
acid in the blood. The blood carries carbon dioxide to the
lungs, where it is exhaled. More than 90% of carbon dioxide in
the blood exists in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3). The
remainder of the carbon dioxide is either dissolved carbon
dioxide gas (CO2) or carbonic acid (H2CO3). November 7, 2011 E.
Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt,
MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine,
Medical Toxicology How this information was developed to help
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