or is it not limited by oxygen? scientific sources would be also appreciated thanks!
2007-11-02 07:30:02 · 3 answers · asked by keyahnoo 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Respiration (of air) is a diffusion process, meaning that the more carriers involved, the more gas exchange will occur. Increasing the red blood cell count will definitely increase the level of oxygen delivered and the level of CO2 that gets exchanged out, merely as a result of kinetics. However, it's not always the case that cellular respiration (making energy from glucose in your cells) is limited by lack of oxygen. If you're lying on your couch watching TV, you're probably doing just fine for oxygen. On the other hand, if you're running a marathon, you're probably in oxygen debt (you don't have enough oxygen in your cells for the amount of cellular respiration you want to do), and more red blood cells (which bring more oxygen) would be helpful.
2007-11-02 07:41:50 · answer #1 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would mean higher carbon dioxide expulsion IF you had higher oxygen intake.
2007-11-02 14:34:08 · answer #2 · answered by Philip S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could mean something as unimportant as the fact that you are dehydrated...depends on the RBC count itself.
2007-11-02 14:38:28 · answer #3 · answered by sirbobby98121 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋