Transport of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Plasma

Liquid part of blood containing dissolved substances

Erythrocytes

red blood cells

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen.

Reversible binding

The capacity of a molecule to bind another molecule and, under different conditions, to release that molecule.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin combined with oxygen

oxygen saturation

a clinical measurement of the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound with oxygen in the blood

Red Blood Cell count

a determination of the number of erythrocytes in the blood

Hemocrit

the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells

Iron deficiency anemia

anemia resulting when there is not enough iron to build hemoglobin for red blood cells

Heme group

centralized iron-containing group that is surrounded by the alpha and beta subunits of hemoglobin

Carbaminohemoglobin (HbCO2)

CO2 bound to hemoglobin

Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)

an anion formed by the dissociation of carbonic acid; an important buffer in human blood

Carbonic anhydrase

enzyme that catalyzes the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid

Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

a very weak acid formed in solution when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.

Chloride Shift

the movement of chloride ions into the red blood cells as hydrogen ions move out

to maintain the electrochemical equilibrium.

Internal respiration

Exchange of gases between cells of the body and the blood

External respiration

exchange of gases between lungs and blood

Cellular respiration

Process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen

Normal blood pH

7.35-7.45

Alveoli

tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases between air and blood

Medulla

the base of the brainstem; controls heartbeat and breathing