Discuss How Gases Are Transported Around The Body

Question 1

What are the 8 layers gases have to diffuse across?

Answer 1

1. Alveolar fluid
2. Alveolar membrane
3. Alveolar basement membrane
4. Interstium (connective tissue)
5. Capillary basement membrane
6. Endothelial membrane
7. Plasma
8. Red blood cell membrane

Question 2

Explain how gases diffuse into the blood stream

Answer 2

Oxygen enters plasma and dissolves in it.
Oxygen enters red blood cell and binds to haemoglobin
Process continues until haemoglobin is fully saturated (each HB molecules binds 4 O2 molecules)
98% oxygen delivered to tissue is delivered on haemoglobin. 2% dissolved in plasma.
Dissolved oxygen leaves the blood for tissues, it’s replaced by oxygen bound to Hb unbinding from Hb and dissolving into the blood ( and process continues)

Question 3

What happens with the transported of carbon dioxide?

Answer 3

10% transported as dissolved gas
30% transported combined with Hb as carbamino- haemoglobin
60% transported as bicarbonate ions - CO2-bicarbonate reaction