As a respiratory physiologist, I can explain the process by which the human body eliminates carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of cellular respiration, and it's essential for the body to remove it to maintain a healthy balance. Here's how the body gets rid of CO2:
1. Cell to Blood Transfer: CO2 produced by cells diffuses into the bloodstream.
2. Transport in Blood: Most of the CO2 is transported in the blood as bicarbonate (HCO3-), a process facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase found in red blood cells.
3. Lung Capillaries: When the blood reaches the capillaries in the lungs, the CO2 diffuses out of the blood and into the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs.
4. Exhalation: The CO2 is then expelled from the body when we exhale.
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