What is the role of carbon dioxide in the metabolic process associated with oxygen?

The role of carbon dioxide in the metabolic process associated with oxygen is primarily as a byproduct of oxygen metabolism. During cellular respiration, oxygen is utilized by cells to convert glucose (or other substrates) into energy, and in this process, carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. This carbon dioxide is then transported back to the lungs, where it is expelled from the body during exhalation.

Understanding this process is essential for divers, especially when considering the effects of increased oxygen levels and how they can influence metabolic byproducts like carbon dioxide. While carbon dioxide can also play other roles, such as serving as a respiratory stimulant or affecting oxygen transport through its influence on the blood’s pH, its fundamental role as a product of metabolism is key to understanding the body's use of oxygen.