OXYGEN

Introduction

Aerobic metabolism is the most efficient and effective method of optimizing energy extraction from foodstuffs. Our sun provides the energy for plant metabolism, through photosynthesis, and plants provide oxygen for mammalian metabolism and consume the waste product of this process, carbon dioxide. Although humans utilize oxygen to break down sugars into carbon dioxide and water, anaerobic metabolism also occurs, but is much less efficient. Highly metabolically active tissues such as the brain, kidney, heart and gut require large amounts of chemical energy to maintain normal function: oxygen and glucose are the sources. It is the most frequently prescribed and misunderstood drug in our hospitals.

In this tutorial we will look at the process by which oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere and ultimately delivered to the mitochondria, how disease interferes with this process and how we, as physicians, can redress the balance.

Learning Objectives

• To understand the basic physiology of oxygen

• To understand the physiological basis of hypoxemia

• To explore methods of oxygen therapeutics.

Copyright 2002 All rights reserved