Have u ever wondered how the human body is able to utilize oxygen and send out carbon dioxide.
OK on a second thought, have u ever had an experience where u stopped breathing just for a minute. At first it would seem life is leaving the body, the eyes become cloudy, and the sense of smell will be temporary lost. This shows us how important respiration is to the human body. Meanwhile respiration is the breathing in of oxygen and breathing out of carbon dioxide.
The human body is able to transport substances; liquid, gases, electrolytes, dissolved matter, etc by the help of the blood. The blood is a liquid connective tissue that helps in:
•Gaseous exchange
•Defense and development of immune system
•It also enhances growth and repair of body tissues.
However, the blood is comprised of 3 cells namely:
(1) Red blood cell
(2) White blood cell
(3) Platelets.
Here we would limit our discussion to the red blood cell.
THE RED BLOOD CELL
The Red Blood Cell otherwise known as ERYTHROCYTE forms an important aspect of human life as it is charged with the responsibility of transporting respiratory gases(oxygen & carbon dioxide) from the cells of the body to the lungs and back. The RBC makes it possible for the body to utilize oxygen and send out carbon dioxide.The red blood cells are formed in the red bone marrow. They have no nucleus and posses a characteristic red colour due to the presence of a pigment called hemoglobin. They also posses a biconcave shape which helps in rapid diffusion of gases into the cells of the body.
MECHANISM BEHIND RESPIRATION
The red blood cell(RBC) functions mainly for gaseous exchange.
The red blood cell contains a pigment known as hemoglobin. This pigment gives the RBC it's red colour and functions as the gas carrying substance in the blood. During respiration,the oxygen inhaled from the atmosphere passes through the respiratory tracts to the lungs. From the lungs the oxygen diffuses into the RBCs and binds weakly with hemoglobin to form OXYHEMOGLOBIN complex.Now the red blood cells transport oxygen to the cells and tissues in the form of oxyhemoglobin.
Also,the carbon dioxide formed in the cells are taking up by binding with hemoglobin to form CARBHEMOGLOBIN. The Red blood cell then transport the carbon dioxide to the lungs in the form of Carbhemoglobin. In the lungs carbon dioxide dissociate from the carbhemoglobin Complex and is then exhaled into the atmosphere through the respiratory tracts. In this way, the Red blood cells assist in regulations of gaseous exchange in the body.
Finally, taking in of oxygen and breathing out of carbon dioxide is very essential for normal functioning of the human body and continuity of life. Just imagine a person with a defective Red blood cell, well I leave you to judge the fate of that person.