To describe the overall gas exchange rates in red blood cells (RBC), a computer program for solving the diffusion equations for 02, C02, and HC03 -that accompany the chemical reactions of Bohr-and Haldane-effects was developed. Three diffusion equations were solved alternatively and repeatedly in an increment time of 2 ms. After solving the diffusion equations the Poz, 02 saturation (S02), P02, pH, and HCO3 content were corrected by using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, where the buffer value was newly derived from the C02 dissociation curve. In computing the Haldane effect, the buffer value was taken to be 44 mmol l(RBC) -1 pH~ -1, so that the change in intracellular dissolved C02 caused by the Soz change was fully compensated by the subsequent C02 diffusion. The oxygenation and deoxygenation rate factors of hemoglobin were assumed to be 2.09(1 • -S)2'02 and 0.3 s -• Torr 1, respectively. The Poz change due to the Bohr-shift was computed from Hill's equation, in which the K value was given by a function of the intracellular pH. When the parameter values thus far measured were used, the computed Bohr-and Haldane-effects coincided well with the experimental data, supporting the validity of the equations. The overall gas exchange profiles calculated in the pulmonary capillary model showed that the C02 equilibration time was significantly longer than the oxygenation time.Key words ; diffusion in red blood cell, Bohr effect, Haldane effect, overall gas exchange rate.Under physiological conditions in the pulmonary and peripheral capillaries, the 02 and C02 diffusions into and out of the red blood cells (RBC) are mutually influenced by the Bohr-and Haldane-effects. To estimate the overall gas exchange rate, the oxygenation and deoxygenation rates as well as the C02 and HC03 -diffusion rates in the RBC must be solved simultaneously. However, because of