Question

What is the effect of $PCO_2$ on oxygen transport?

Answer 1

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide is said as $PCO_2$. It affects oxygen transport in the formation of oxyhaemoglobin and in dissociation of oxygen from it.

Complete Answer:
- As a waste product of normal cellular metabolism, carbon dioxide is produced. It's transferred to the red blood cells from the tissues, where it is carried to the lungs. Around 10 percent of your blood carbon dioxide is reported to be dissolved.
- According to Eastern Kentucky University, the amount of pressure generated by carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood is regarded as the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, or $PCO_2$. The normal amount of $PCO_2$ is 35 mm to 45 mm of mercury in healthy individuals, stated by Orlando Regional Healthcare.
- In transporting oxygen, $PCO_2$ plays an essential function. The low $PCO_2$ and high $PO_2$ of the alveolus favour oxyhaemoglobin formation.
- The high $PCO_2$ and low $PO_2$ in the tissues facilitate the dissociation of oxygen from oxyhaemoglobin.
- Hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen is also increased by the decrease of $PCO_2$ in the blood. Oxygen is thus transported as oxyhaemoglobin in the blood and oxygen dissociates from oxyhaemoglobin at the tissues.

Note: A part of the brain called the medulla regulates respiration.
- As the $PCO_2$ level gets too high or too low, chemoreceptors relay signals inside the medulla to the inspiratory centre to increase breathing or slow it down. Respiration is activated in the blood by elevated levels of $PCO_2$.
- Hypoventilation is the main cause of elevated amounts of $PO_2$. Among the various causes of hypoventilation are pneumonia, pneumothorax, atelectasis, pulmonary embolism, chest injury, failure of the central nervous system and respiratory muscles.