In red blood cells, bicarbonate can be exchanged for chloride in the plasma. Why do red blood cells in venous circulation have a higher concentration of chloride ions

In the red blood cells of the veins, the concentration of transported CO2 is higher, since they collect the blood that has already fulfilled oxygenation.

In order to transport this gas and maintain electroneutrality, it is necessary for the chloride ion to diffuse through the membrane and therefore maintain the charge valances between the erythrocyte membrane, the LIC and the LEC.

Explanation:

The displacement of chlorine or chloride ion complies with the Gibbs-Donnan principle, which states that to maintain the electroneutrality of a cell, the ions that can cross the membrane with those that cannot, seek a balance between the media that are dissociated Through the membrane, this is how cellular vitality is maintained and the transport of gases such as CO2 in the form of carbonic acid is allowed.