What is oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood?

Oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood refer to the varying oxygen content carried in the blood by haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Haemoglobin binds to oxygen and transports it throughout the body.

1. Oxygenated Blood:

- Oxygenated blood is the blood that has picked up oxygen from the lungs and is carrying it to the rest of the body.

- It is typically bright red in colour due to the presence of oxygenated haemoglobin.

- Oxygenated blood is pumped out of the heart through the arteries and travels to the tissues, where oxygen is released into the cells.

2. Deoxygenated Blood:

- Deoxygenated blood is the blood that has released oxygen to the cells and is carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

- It is typically dark red or bluish in colour due to the presence of deoxygenated haemoglobin.

- Deoxygenated blood travels back to the heart through the veins, and then it is pumped to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is taken up.

The heart has separate chambers and valves that ensure the proper separation and circulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, preventing mixing. This separation is essential for maintaining efficient oxygen delivery to tissues and removing waste products like carbon dioxide.