Question

Explain the transport of O₂ and CO₂ between alveoli and tissue with diagram.

Answer 1

Transportation of Oxygen:

1. The oxygen we breathe reaches our alveoli.
2. Because the partial pressure of oxygen in alveoli is higher, oxygen diffuses to capillaries and mixes with haemoglobin to create oxyhaemoglobin.
3. Oxygenated blood is delivered to an organ with a lower partial pressure than alveoli.
4. In these organs, the connection between oxygen and haemoglobin will be fragile and will break, allowing oxygen to enter the organs.

Transportation of Carbon Dioxide:

1. Various organs emit carbon dioxide, which is transported to the alveoli via capillaries, which have a lower intrapulmonary pressure than the organs.
2. Because the intrapulmonary pressure in the alveoli is lower than in the capillaries, carbon dioxide will pass from the capillaries to the alveoli.
3. Carbon dioxide mixes with water in red blood cells to generate carbonic acid. It's an unstable state that breaks down into hydrogen and bicarbonate ions.
4. Bicarbonate ions, which are carbon dioxide ions, are likewise carried by plasma.