Gas Transport In Blood
*Oxygen is Transported in the Blood in Two Ways
-Most always when oxygen is transported, it attaches to hemoglobin molecules. This happens inside of the red blood cells, and forms oxyhemoglobin.
-A very small amount of oxygen is dissolved and then carried in the plasma.
*Transportation of Carbon Dioxide
-Most carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as a bicarbonate ion.
-About 20-30% of transported CO2 is carried inside the red blood cells that are bound to hemoglobin.
-Carbon dioxide carried in the RBC's (red blood cells) bind to hemoglobin at a different site than oxygen does. This happens so it does not interfere with oxygen transport.
-Most always when oxygen is transported, it attaches to hemoglobin molecules. This happens inside of the red blood cells, and forms oxyhemoglobin.
-A very small amount of oxygen is dissolved and then carried in the plasma.
*Transportation of Carbon Dioxide
-Most carbon dioxide is transported in the blood as a bicarbonate ion.
-About 20-30% of transported CO2 is carried inside the red blood cells that are bound to hemoglobin.
-Carbon dioxide carried in the RBC's (red blood cells) bind to hemoglobin at a different site than oxygen does. This happens so it does not interfere with oxygen transport.
This image explains that before carbon dioxide can diffuse out of the blood into the alveoli, it must first be released from its bicarbonate ion form. For this to occur, bicarbonate ions must combine with hydrogen ions to form carbonic acid.