How do erythrocytes transport oxygen & carbon dioxide in the blood?
RBCs help in the transportation of oxygen in the blood. During inhalation, oxygen is taken into the lungs, and from the lungs, oxygen diffuses into the blood. As soon as it enters the blood, it also enters the RBC where it binds to the hemoglobin. 3% of oxygen is dissolved in the blood where 97% of transported oxygen is bound to hemoglobin. This oxygen then diffuses into the tissues. Carbon dioxide is produced as a result of transpiration inside the body cells. From the cell, the carbon dioxide diffuses into the blood where it is carried as: 1. Carbaminohemoglobin, when it is bound to hemoglobin. 2. Dissolved into the plasma. 3. Bicarbonate Ions. Carbon dioxide is maximally transported as bicarbonates and it is taken back to the lungs with the help of blood where it is released back into the atmosphere. The diffusion of these gases takes place according to their partial pressures.
