Question

How does blood become deoxygenated?

Answer 1

Deoxygenated blood:

1. Deoxygenated blood is blood that has a high concentration of carbon dioxide.
2. Deoxygenated blood circulates through the veins.
3. Because it carries deoxygenated blood, the veins appear blue.

Process of forming deoxygenated blood:

1. The removal of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin is referred to as unloading.
2. Oxygen diffuses out of red blood cells as blood flows through capillaries in our metabolizing tissues.
3. The affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen decreases as temperature rises.
4. As oxyhemoglobin is heated in the metabolizing tissues, its affinity decreases and hemoglobin unloads oxygen.
5. A decrease in pH (an increase in acid) results in an increase in O2.unloading.
6. Increased peripheral tissue metabolisms, such as lower pH and higher CO2.
7. Thus forming deoxygenated blood.