How does zinc support the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in red blood cells?

Zinc functions as an essential cofactor for the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which is found in red blood cells.12

In this role, zinc ions are required for the enzyme to maintain its biological activity. Specifically, zinc facilitates the catalytic process by enabling the reversible conversion of carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. By serving as a necessary nonprotein component, zinc ensures the enzyme can effectively influence the transport of carbon dioxide in the blood, a process that is vital for respiration. Without this metal ion, the protein component of the enzyme would lack the catalytic ability required to perform this chemical reaction.21