Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This problem addresses gas transport in blood, focusing on the regulators of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and the chemical forms in which carbon dioxide is transported from peripheral tissues to the lungs.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
Statement (I): In a hypoxic (low oxygen) environment, such as at high altitudes, the body triggers compensatory mechanisms.
Red blood cells increase their production of the organic phosphate2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG).
2,3-BPG binds to deoxygenated hemoglobin, stabilizing its "T" (taut) state and decreasing its affinity for oxygen.
This shifts the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to theright, which facilitates the unloading of oxygen from hemoglobin to the oxygen-starved peripheral tissues. Thus, Statement (I) iscorrect.
Statement (II): Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood in three main forms:
1. Dissolved in plasma (about 7% to 10%).
2. Bound to hemoglobin as carbaminohemoglobin (about 20% to 23%).
3. As dissolvedbicarbonate ions (\(\text{HCO}_3^-\)) in the plasma (about 70%). This bicarbonate formation is catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells.
Since the majority of CO\(_2\) is transported as bicarbonate, not carbaminohemoglobin, Statement (II) isincorrect.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C).