Transportation of Gases | Don't Memorise

TL;DR

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the body through the formation of complexes with hemoglobin, with majority of oxygen carried by RBCs and carbon dioxide transported through bicarbonate and plasma.

Transcript

partial pressure of gases is the key behind their exchange in the body this is what we've learned so far but it's the process as easy as it seems for us from what we've studied so far the process is simple RBC's grab the oxygen that diffuses in the bloodstream from alveoli and pass it to the cells inversely carbon dioxide gets in the RBC's to bind ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💁 The binding of oxygen to hemoglobin in the alveoli forms oxyhemoglobin, which is carried to the cells.
• 💁 Carbon dioxide is carried in the form of bicarbonate and carb amino hemoglobin, with majority transported as bicarbonate.
• 👻 The enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the RBCs helps convert carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and back, allowing for effective transport.
• ❓ Oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the body through complexes with hemoglobin and dissolved in plasma.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin occur?

Oxygen binds to the iron component of hemoglobin in a complex called oxyhemoglobin. Factors like temperature, hydrogen ion concentration, and carbon dioxide levels affect the binding.

Q: What happens when oxygen is transported to the cells?

In the cells, oxygen dissociates from hemoglobin due to increased partial pressure in the cells. The structure of hemoglobin changes to receive carbon dioxide molecules.

Q: How is carbon dioxide transported in the bloodstream?

Carbon dioxide is mainly transported as bicarbonate in the RBCs, with some dissolved in plasma and a small amount carried as carb amino hemoglobin.

Q: How is carbon dioxide made available during exhalation?

Bicarbonate and hydrogen ions in the RBCs are converted back to carbon dioxide and water as the RBCs reach the alveoli, allowing for exhalation of carbon dioxide.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Oxygen molecules bind to the iron component of hemoglobin in the alveoli to form oxyhemoglobin.

• Oxyhemoglobin is carried to the cells where oxygen dissociates and is used by the cells.

• Carbon dioxide is transported as carb amino hemoglobin and in the form of bicarbonate in the RBCs.

• Majority of oxygen is transported by RBCs, while carbon dioxide is mainly transported through bicarbonate and plasma.