Which of the following processes causes most of the carbon dioxide from the blood to move into the alveoli?
A. Passive transport using carrier proteins
B. Active transport using energy
C. Conversion to carbon monoxide
D. Diffusion down a concentration gradient
Most of the carbon dioxide from the blood moves into the alveoli by diffusion down a concentration gradient ¹. Carbon dioxide is always carried in the blood and is released into alveolar air during expiration ¹. Respiratory gases move from higher concentration to lower concentration ¹. In alveolar air, when carbon dioxide is less than in blood, carbon dioxide is released ¹.
The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the process by which most of the carbon dioxide from the blood moves into the alveoli. Passive transport using carrier proteins, active transport using energy, and conversion to carbon monoxide is not the processes responsible for moving most of the carbon dioxide from the blood into the alveoli.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.