Chapter 9: Problem 6

How is oxygen carried in the blood?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Oxygen is carried in the blood via hemoglobin, a molecule in red blood cells. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen molecules when they enter the blood from lungs and carries them to cells throughout body. Once they reach a cell requiring oxygen, the oxygen is released from hemoglobin, and it diffuses into the cell.

Step by step solution

Circulatory System Overview

Understand that the circulatory system is responsible for transporting nutrients, hormones, and gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body. Oxygen enters the body through the respiratory system, particularly the lungs.

Oxygen and Red Blood Cells

Recognize that once oxygen enters the lungs, it gets diffused or passed into the blood. Here, it gets picked up by red blood cells. To be specific, each red blood cell contains a molecule called hemoglobin.

Role of Hemoglobin

Understand that hemoglobin has a special affinity or liking for oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells bind to the oxygen molecule creating oxyhemoglobin.

Oxygen Transportation

With oxygen bound to hemoglobin, oxygen then travels throughout the body via the bloodstream. Once it reaches a cell that needs oxygen, the oxygen molecule is released from the hemoglobin molecule and diffuses into the cell.

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How is oxygen carried in the blood?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Circulatory System Overview

Oxygen and Red Blood Cells

Role of Hemoglobin

Oxygen Transportation

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