Final answer:
In body tissues, carbon dioxide concentration exceeds oxygen concentration. Conversely, in the red blood cells that supply the tissues, oxygen concentration exceeds carbon dioxide concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
In your body tissues, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is higher than the concentration of oxygen (O2), while in the red blood cells that supply the tissues, the concentration of oxygen is higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide.
During cellular respiration, cells produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. This carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells and into the bloodstream, where it combines with water to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate ions are transported in the plasma, while the hydrogen ions bind to hemoglobin in red blood cells. This process helps maintain a higher concentration of CO2 in the tissues.
On the other hand, when red blood cells reach the lungs, they encounter a higher concentration of oxygen. Oxygen is bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming oxyhemoglobin. This oxygen-rich blood then travels back to the tissues, where oxygen is released and diffuses into the cells for cellular respiration.
Learn more about Gas exchange in the body