Red blood cells contain a protein known as haemoglobin (Hb) which is responsible for carrying about 98% of the body's oxygen (the rest is dissolved in the blood). However oxygen is not the only thing that binds to Hb. Both carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) can also bind to it as well (both of which are chemicals produced in cigarette smoke). The binding of CO2 to Hb is normal, and is how the majority of CO2 in the body is trasported to the lungs for exhalation (as it is a bi-product of energy production in the body). However, both CO2 and CO have higher affinities for Hb (i.e. they are more likely to bind to Hb) in the blood, and so when there is more CO and CO2 around, such as when smokers inhale cigarette smoke, the Hb is more likely to bind CO and CO2 than oxygen.
CO2 is far more common than CO, and Hb's affinity for it is lower as well. Hb has an incredibly high affinity for CO which explains why it is so toxic to humans as the Hb it binds to is more or less left unusable in the body.
This is my understanding of this all at a 2nd year university level of physiology, but I believe it more or less explains everything.
blood cells do not carry food, blood cells carry oxygen.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the cells of the body.
red blood cells
To carry oxygen
red blood cells
no, the red blood cells carry less oxygen when the person smokes
blood cells do not carry food, blood cells carry oxygen.
White blood cells fight germs and red blood cells carry oxygen.
Red blood cells carry primarily oxygen
Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body and to the cells.
Your red blood cells carry oxygen.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the cells of the body.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin. These cells are also known as erythrocytes.
blood carry oxygen to cells
red blood cells
Oxygen
red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs through the pulmonary artery to the heart and then to the rest of the body.