INTERNAL EXCHANGE

What is Internal Exchange (Gaseous Exchange)?

The process where oxygen is transferred from the blood into the body's cells, and carbon dioxide is transferred from the cells into the blood.

What are Systemic Capillaries?

Tiny blood vessels that surround individual body cells, facilitating the direct exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products.

What is Oxygen (O2) in the context of internal exchange?

The gas that diffuses from the blood into the tissue cells during internal exchange, as it's needed for cellular respiration.

What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the context of internal exchange?

The waste gas produced by tissue cells during cellular respiration, which diffuses from the cells into the blood during internal exchange.

What is a Diffusion Gradient?

The difference in concentration (or partial pressure) of a gas between two areas, causing the gas to move from a higher concentration to a lower one, which drives internal exchange.

What is Cellular Respiration?

The metabolic process within tissue cells that uses oxygen to break down glucose for energy (ATP), producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

What are Tissue Cells?

Individual living units that make up the body's tissues and organs, which constantly require oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.

What is Hemoglobin?

An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that transports O2 to tissue cells and CO2 back to lungs, aiding gas exchange.