Anatomy and Physiology, can anyone explain this equation?

Question

CO2+H2O=H2CO3=H+HCO3

IT HAS TO DO WITH GAS EXCHANGE BUT I DONT UNDERSTAND THE EXPLANATION ON MY BOOK.

Answer 1

When you add carbon dioxide to water you get carbonic acid.  Your blood becomes more acidic when you are building up too much CO2.

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide is produced by metabolism in all cells in the body. CO2(g) is somewhat soluble in water as itself, but its solubility is increased by reacting it with water to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is a weak acid and so it dissociates to form protons and bicarbonate ions. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.

In the lungs, the reactions are reversed to produce CO2 which will leave the circulation and enter the alveoli as CO2 (gas) which we exhale.

's this help at all?

Answer 3

Carbon Dioxide plus Water produces Carbonic Acid, which is buffered to become bicarbonate. I think.

Read http://www.madsci.com/manu/gas_acbs.htm