Erythrocytes swell as they traverse systemic capillaries

ERYTHROCYTES SWELL AS THEY TRAVERSE SYSTEMIC CAPILLARIES 

OXYGEN CARRIAGE, RESPIRATION AND ACID-BASE PHYSIOLOGY 

F ure 6.8. Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (y-axis) as a function of time (x-axis). At time zero, hypoventilation suddenly supervenes, e.g. as a result of a severe attack of asthma. As indicated, immediately following the onset of hypoventilation, there is a period during which carbon dioxide accumulates in the body. The PCO2 rises exponentially towards a steady state value. When a steady state is established, the rate of carbon dioxide excretion in the lungs equals the rate of production in the tissues. 

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