Oxygen transport
Oxygen transport
Oxygen transport (pronunciation: /ˈɒksɪdʒən ˈtrænspɔːrt/) refers to the process by which oxygen is moved from the atmosphere and delivered to the cells of the body. This process is essential for cellular respiration, which is the process by which cells obtain energy from organic molecules and release waste products.
Etymology
The term "oxygen" comes from the Greek words "oxys" meaning "sharp" and "genes" meaning "producer". This is because oxygen was originally thought to be essential to forming acids. The term "transport" comes from the Latin "transportare", which means "to carry across".
Process
Oxygen transport begins in the lungs, where oxygen is inhaled from the atmosphere and enters the bloodstream through the alveoli. The oxygen then binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, which transport the oxygen through the bloodstream to the cells of the body. The oxygen is then released from the hemoglobin and enters the cells, where it is used in cellular respiration.
Related Terms
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and transports it through the bloodstream.
- Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the bloodstream.
- Cellular respiration: The process by which cells obtain energy from organic molecules and release waste products.
- Bloodstream: The circulating fluid in the body that transports oxygen and other nutrients to the cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oxygen transport
- Wikipedia's article - Oxygen transport
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