The fetal lungs are collapsed, and blood passes from the right atrium directly into the left atrium through the foramen ovale: an open conduit between the paired atria, or through the ductus arteriosus: a shunt between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.
By Deborah Leader, RN. Updated January 21, 2016. Hypercapnia is a condition that occurs when there is too much carbon dioxide in the blood. While it is sometimes caused by things such as hypoventilation or a narcotic drug overdose, a much more common cause is COPD. If you have COPD, it's important to know the hypercapnia symptoms, as well as the treatments available.
Bicarbonate Buffer: Carbon dioxide produced in the tissue cells diffuses into the blood plasma. The largest fraction of carbon dioxide diffuses into the red blood cells. The carbon dioxide in the red blood cells is transported as: dissolved CO 2, combined with hemoglobin, or as bicarbonate,(largest fraction).The formation of bicarbonate ions, (HCO 3 -) takes place by the following reactions:he largest fraction of carbon dioxide diffuses into the red blood cells. The carbon dioxide in the red blood cells is transported as: dissolved CO 2, combined with hemoglobin, or as bicarbonate,(largest fraction). The formation of bicarbonate ions, (HCO 3 -) takes place by the following reactions: