Elisa feels tired because she has a condition that affects whether the right molecules are getting to her cells. If her body were functioning correctly, this is what would happen with oxygen
In a normally functioning body, oxygen plays a crucial role in the energy production process within cells. Oxygen is primarily acquired through breathing and is transported to different tissues and organs via the circulatory system. Here is what would happen with oxygen in a well-functioning body:
1. Breathing: When a person breathes, oxygen-rich air enters the lungs. Inside the lungs, oxygen molecules diffuse across the thin walls of the air sacs (alveoli) and enter the bloodstream.
2. Oxygen Transport: The oxygen in the blood binds with a protein called hemoglobin, present in red blood cells. The oxygen-hemoglobin complex forms oxyhemoglobin, which transports oxygen throughout the body. The circulatory system carries this oxygenated blood away from the lungs to every cell and tissue.
3. Capillary Exchange: As the oxygenated blood flows through tiny blood vessels called capillaries, oxygen is released from the oxyhemoglobin and diffuses into the surrounding cells. This exchange of oxygen occurs due to the concentration gradient between the high oxygen levels in the blood and the relatively lower oxygen levels within the cells.
4. Cellular Respiration: Once inside the cells, oxygen participates in a process called cellular respiration, specifically in the mitochondria. In cellular respiration, oxygen is utilized to break down glucose (sugar) and produce energy-rich molecules called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy currency of cells, essential for various metabolic activities.
5. Carbon Dioxide Removal: Simultaneously, as oxygen is consumed, carbon dioxide (a waste product of cellular respiration) is generated. Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the cells into the bloodstream and binds with hemoglobin to form carbaminohemoglobin. The carbon dioxide is then transported back to the lungs through the circulatory system.
6. Exhalation: Upon reaching the lungs, carbon dioxide is released from the carbaminohemoglobin and is exhaled out of the body during the breathing process. This completes the cycle of oxygenation and the removal of waste gases.
In Elisa's case, if her body's condition is causing issues in delivering the right molecules to her cells, the process of oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and waste removal might be disrupted. This could lead to inadequate oxygen supply to the cells, resulting in fatigue and other related symptoms.