Introduction

Abstract

The term respiration refers to the gaseous interchange between an organism and its surroundings, the more obvious chemical features of which are the consumption of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide. Among the vital steps in the overall process of respiration is the transport of both gases by the blood. Thus it is of fundamental importance that the extent of the blood’s uptake and release of each gas, and the rates at which they occur, depend to a large degree upon the physicochemical properties of this medium and that such properties may vary appreciably among individuals. Furthermore, these properties are, themselves, perturbed by the very processes of uptake and release.