Question

What is the exchange of gases between blood and cells called?

Answer 1

Exchange of gases (Respiration):

1. It is composed of inhalation and exhalation of air for the purpose of gaseous exchange in the lungs and at the tissue and cellular level.
2. It involves the inhalation of air containing a higher concentration of oxygen in order to form the basis for gaseous exchange in the lungs.
3. The oxygen is taken in by the alveoli of the lungs while carbon dioxide is expelled.
4. Carbon dioxide forms a major component of the air that is expelled.
5. Respiration has an external as well as an internal component.

Internal respiration:

1. The exchange of gases between blood and the cells is called Internal Respiration.
2. This exchange takes place in a huge number of alveoli which are present in the lungs.
3. Entry of oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood in the capillaries and the exit of carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries to the air in the alveoli.
4. The partial pressure of oxygen and other physiological conditions facilitate the oxygen to bind to the hemoglobin of the blood, thus increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.
5. The gas exchange allows the body to restore oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, both steps are necessary for the survival of the body.