The oxygen in the blood will be transported through a mechanism that is essential for human survival. This process is important so that every cell in the body gets the oxygen it needs to function optimally.
Where oxygen will be distributed to all tissues of the body through the blood. This process occurs through a mechanism involving a protein molecule called hemoglobin in red blood cells.
To understand this more clearly, let’s look at the discussion on the mechanism of oxygen transport by red blood cells below!
What is oxygen in blood transfusion?
Humans need an adequate supply of oxygen to live well. As we know, oxygen is obtained from the air we breathe every day.
In general, a person needs about 300 ml of oxygen per day. However, the body’s need for oxygen can change depending on activity level, body weight, and age.
In order to keep the body’s organs functioning properly, oxygen must be distributed throughout the body through the blood.
It is known that about 97% of the oxygen in the blood is transported by red blood cells, or red blood cells. This process involves a protein compound called hemoglobin.
The process of binding and releasing oxygen into the blood is affected by several factors, such as oxygen levels, oxygen pressure, and carbon dioxide levels in the body, which occurs through diffusion.
What is the mechanism of oxygen transport?
From the above discussion, we can know that the oxygen in the blood will be transported by the red blood cells via hemoglobin. So what is the process of transporting oxygen in the blood? Below is the explanation.
1. The process of inhaling oxygen through the nose
The oxygen transport mechanism begins with the respiratory process when a person inhales oxygen through the nose. The oxygen then moves through the trachea, or windpipe, which connects to the lungs.
In the lungs, the trachea branches into two bronchi that lead to the right and left lungs. The air eventually reaches the alveoli in the lungs.
2. The process of binding oxygen in the alveoli
Alveoli are sac-shaped structures found at the end of bronchioles in the lungs. This is where the capillaries are located, which are small blood vessels whose function is to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
After oxygen enters the capillaries, it will be attached to the red blood cells through a mineral protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin plays an important role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the heart for distribution throughout the body.
3. The process of transporting oxygen in the blood
The oxygen entering the human body will be stored in a form bound to hemoglobin, which will then be transported through the arteries to various cells of the body.
This process is affected by a number of factors, such as the amount of oxygen entering the body, the amount of carbon dioxide in the body, and oxygen pressure.
In addition, red blood cells also release oxygen from hemoglobin and distribute it to tissue cells, where the oxygen is used to produce energy.
At the same time, red blood cells also absorb carbon dioxide, a waste product, from the cells and carry it into the bloodstream.
The importance of oxygen in the human body
Oxygen is an important element for life, although it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. The human body gets various benefits from the oxygen that enters it.
Here are some of the importance of oxygen in the human body:
1. Supports the respiratory system
The presence of oxygen is very necessary for the breathing process in living organisms, including humans. Because oxygen plays a role in meeting the body’s metabolic needs. If there is a lack of oxygen in the blood, it will affect the health of the body.
When we breathe air that contains oxygen, oxygen enters the lungs through the respiratory system. In the lungs, oxygen diffuses into the capillaries and is then transported by red blood cells throughout the body.
2. Helps blood circulation
Apart from this, oxygen also greatly affects blood circulation. Because the body needs about 90% of the oxygen levels in the blood to facilitate the breathing process for humans.
The oxygen in the blood will be transported by the red blood cells which will help in pumping the blood throughout the body through the circulatory system.
Oxygen-rich blood will flow to various organs and tissues of the body to meet their oxygen needs, which is important for optimal biological functions.
3. Energy production for the body
The equally important role of oxygen is to assist the process of cellular respiration. In the mitochondria of cells, oxygen reacts with broken down nutrients, such as glucose, and produces energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is a type of energy that the body’s cells use to perform various activities, from movement to the functions of internal organs.
4. Supports the function of human body cells
Every cell in the body needs oxygen to function properly. Because oxygen is considered the main fuel for the body’s cells to maintain the survival and function of the cells in the human body.
For example, muscle cells need oxygen to contract and move, nerve cells need it to transmit electrical signals, and liver cells need it to function in detoxification and metabolic processes.
5. Maintains the body’s immune system
Finally, oxygen also plays a role in supporting the immune system. Some immune cells, such as macrophages, need oxygen in the process of phagocytosis, that is, engulfing and destroying foreign bodies or pathogens in the body.
Other immune cells also use oxygen to produce important compounds that help fight infections and keep the body healthy.
The function and role of red blood cells in the body
After knowing the mechanism through which oxygen is transported in the blood by erythrocytes or red blood cells, of course you also need to understand the functions and roles of red blood cells for human survival.
Here are some of the main functions and roles of red blood cells in the body:
1. Forms oxyhemoglobin
Red blood cells play a major role in the formation of oxyhemoglobin. Oxyhemoglobin is a complex of hemoglobin molecules that bind oxygen tightly.
Oxyhemoglobin is formed when oxygen entering the lungs binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells located in the alveoli. This process allows oxygen to be transported through the blood to all parts of the body.
2. Supplying cells with oxygen
Apart from this, red blood cells also act as the main carrier of oxygen to the cells of the body. After forming oxyhemoglobin, red blood cells carry oxygen through the capillaries to various tissues and organs of the body.
In this place, oxygen is released from the oxyhemoglobin molecule to meet the cells’ oxygen needs and support the important cellular respiration process for energy production.
3. Oxygen transport
The main role of red blood cells is to transport oxygen. As shown, oxygen in the blood is transported by red blood cells via hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin can carry up to four oxygen molecules per molecule, so red blood cells can transport and deliver a lot of oxygen at once through the bloodstream.
4. Carbon dioxide load
Red blood cells also carry carbon dioxide from the body’s cells and tissues due to metabolic processes and other gases. Carbon dioxide is transported by red blood cells and transported to the excreta or to reservoirs such as the lungs.
In general, this process ensures that carbon dioxide produced by the body’s cells is returned to the lungs to be excreted from the body, and also ensures smooth breathing.
5. Maintain acid-base balance
Red blood cells play a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance in the body. Hemoglobin acts as a barrier, helping to regulate the pH of the blood to keep it within the normal range.
When the blood pH tends to be acidic, hemoglobin is able to capture hydrogen ions (H+) to help neutralize them. Conversely, when the blood pH tends to be alkaline, hemoglobin will release hydrogen ions to help maintain the correct pH balance.
How to improve blood oxygen levels
Improving blood oxygen levels is essential for the body’s overall health and performance. Every person has different oxygen needs depending on age, gender and body weight.
However, there are similar ways to increase blood oxygen levels. These methods include:
1. Practice deep breathing
One of the easiest ways to increase blood oxygen levels is to practice deep breathing. All you need is to inhale the fresh air deeply and exhale it slowly.
In addition, deep breathing, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can also help expand lung capacity and increase oxygen flow throughout the body.
2. Eat foods rich in antioxidants
In order for your blood oxygen level to rise properly, you must regularly eat foods rich in antioxidants.
Apart from this, antioxidant foods can also help fight free radicals that can damage the body’s cells and improve the quality of oxygen in the body.
Some foods that contain antioxidants can be found in berries, grapes, carrots, beans, dates, guava, peppers, pomegranates, and tomatoes.
3. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can help improve blood circulation and lung capacity. Regular physical activity will also increase the body’s need for oxygen, so that the body is more efficient in processing oxygen.
One recommended type of exercise is aerobic exercise. Because this activity can increase the body’s endurance and also help the body’s cells get a better supply of oxygen.
4. Reduce the habit of bending
Reducing the habit of bending can help ensure that the lungs are able to function optimally. This is because the oxygen in the blood will be transported by red blood cells, and thus the body’s organs must function optimally.
Continuous bending can block oxygen and reduce blood oxygen levels. Therefore, it is important to always maintain an upright body position, whether when sitting or standing.
5. Sleeping position using the pronation technique
Pronation is a sleeping position to increase the level of oxygen in the blood. This technique is performed in the prone position for approximately thirty minutes.
This way, you can maintain adequate levels of oxygen in the blood, while helping to increase the flow of oxygen to the lungs.
This is an explanation of the process through which oxygen is transported in the blood by red blood cells or red blood cells. Through this mechanism, the body ensures that each cell receives the oxygen it needs to function properly.
Therefore, remember to always maintain a healthy respiratory and blood system, because the oxygen in the blood is the key to a healthier and more energetic life.