Question

Breathing (inhalation and exhalation) is essential for the delivery of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide. Additionally, the removal of carbon dioxide affects the body's acid-base balance. That part of breathing that is inhalation results from a:

Answer 1

Inhalation is the process to taking breath in. The pressure in lungs is greater than the atmosphere. So the diaphragm contracts and the space in the lungs increases. According to Boyles law as volume increases pressure drops. So negative pressure is created in the lungs making air enter the lungs. In the alveoli the oxygen diffuses to the blood from the high PO2 alveoli to low PO2 in blood. Carbon-dioxide is diffused to the alveoli from the blood vessels. As inhalation takes place oxygen in blood increases and Carbon-dioxide level decreases. A constant level of CO2 is maintained for the PH balance . The bicarbonate system is responsible for this. C02+ H2O gives H2CO3 and it dissociate to H+ and HCO3-. As CO2 level is droped this mechanism takes place in reverse direction. H+ combines with HCO3- and form H2CO3 and gives CO2 and H2O. Thus the pH in blood is increased as free H+ ions are taken.