What is the science behind our lungs inhaling Oxygen then expelling Carbon Dioxide? What happens in between how does it convert?

3 days ago by Don_Dickle to c/askscience

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EmoPolarbear 14 points 3 days ago

The process is called osmosis. There is a thin membrane that separates the air in your lungs from the blood in your lungs. The blood has a high concentration of carbon dioxide and a low concentration of oxygen. Any volume of fluid (liquid or gas) wants to equalize, so the carbon dioxide naturally tries to reach the low concentration air while the oxygen tries to reach the low concentration blood. The fun part is your body doesn’t actually know if it has enough oxygen, it only knows how much carbon ioxide it has. So in for example low oxygen, high nitrogen air you can suffocate without noticing since the carbon dioxide is still leaving your body.

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neidu4 15 points 3 days ago

To emphasize the interesting bit: Carbon dioxide buildup is what gives the urge to breathe. This is partially what makes carbon monoxide so dangerous.

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