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Gas Exchange - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 21:15, 12 May 2009
, 21:15, 12 May 2009→Carbon Dioxide
===Carbon Dioxide===
===Carbon Dioxide===
*Carbondioxide enters the red blood cell as a waste product from cells. In the red blood cell it reacts with water to form '''carbonic acid''', CA.
*Carbon dioxide enters the red blood cell as a waste product from cells. In the red blood cell it reacts with water to form '''carbonic acid''', CA.
*CA dissociates to '''bicarbonate''' ions and '''hydrogen''' ions. These diffuse into plasma, where H+ are buffered by haemoglobin.
*CA dissociates to '''bicarbonate''' ions and '''hydrogen''' ions. These diffuse into plasma, where H+ are buffered by haemoglobin.
**Approx 5% of the total body CO2 dissolves in the plasma.
**Approx 5% of the total body CO2 dissolves in the plasma.