Question

Follow a CO2 molecule from a body cell to an alveolus. This process should include detailed descriptions of diffusion and potential gas transport mechanisms.

Answer 1

Transport of carbon dioxide is by three ways

1. By plasma:About 3 percent of the carbon dioxide binds with the water to form carbonic acid which is carried to thr the alveoli by the plasma.

2.As carbaminohemoglobin: About 7 %of the carbon dioxide binds reversibly with the hemoglobin to form carbamimohemolglobin.

3.As bicarbonate: Most of the carbon dioxide is transport in blood as bicarbonates.

The whole process is the diffusion of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the alveoli of lungs. In tissues the concentration of Carbon dioxide is high whereas in alveoli the concentration is lower. So carbon dioxide move from higher concentration in tissues to lower concentration in alveoli by diffusion