Assertion (A): CO₂ that enters the RBC reacts with water of cytoplasm and forms carbonic acid.
Reason (R): RBC contain a very high concentration of carbonic anhydrase.

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Both (A) and (R) are true and R is the correct explanation of (A)

Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

A is true but R is false

A is false but R is true

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

Both (A) and (R) are true and R is the correct explanation of (A).

CO₂ that enters the red blood cells (RBCs) can react with water (H₂O) present in the cytoplasm under the catalytic action of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. This reaction forms carbonic acid (H₂CO3), which subsequently dissociates into bicarbonate ions (HCO₃^-) and hydrogen ions (H⁺). This process is essential for the transport of CO₂ from tissues to the lungs for elimination.
Red blood cells indeed contain a high concentration of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. This enzyme accelerates the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and vice versa.