Mammalian erythrocytes contain the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which catalyzes the equilibrium CO2 + H2O HCO3- +

Question:

Mammalian erythrocytes contain the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which catalyzes the equilibrium CO2 + H2O ⇆ HCO3- + H+ with no carbonic acid intermediate. Hence, we have the following acid-base equilibrium:
CO2 + H2O ⇆ HCO3- + H+
(a) Describe how this equilibrium is affected in the lungs. What happens to blood pH in the lungs?
(b) What process decreases pH in the peripheral tissues?