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6. Gas Exchange

Air sacs in the lungs or alveoli allow red blood cells to absorb oxygen from inhaled air. Then the red blood cells travel through blood vessels such as veins and capillaries until they reach capillary beds. These areas are extremely narrow and slow the flow of cells dramatically, creating a longer amount of time for the release of oxygen into the surrounding areas. Carbon dioxide enters the bloodstream, and some of it binds to the amino acids present in hemoglobin, becoming carbaminohemoglobin. The red blood cells then carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs, where they exchange CO2 for oxygen.

gas Red blood cells pixelfit / Getty Images

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