Red Blood Cells Flashcards
1
Q
EXTENDED RESPONSE
Describe the journey of a red blood cell through the body, including the use of blood vessels, chambers of the heart, and sites of diffusion.
A
Oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream at the alveoli in the lungs, binding to red blood cells. The blood then moves to the left side of the heart and is pumped around the body through arteries (the aorta first), then capillaries. Oxygen travels to the muscle cells, where it diffuses into the muscle and carbon dioxide diffuses out. Veins carry the deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart, which is then pumped to the lungs. At the alveoli, the carbon dioxide diffuses from the red blood cells, eventually being exhaled from our body.
