Gas Exchange and Transport

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to gas exchange and transport in the respiratory system.

What factors influence gas exchange?

Partial pressures of gases, diffusion of molecules between gas and liquid, and physical principles of gas laws.

According to Dalton’s Law, how do you calculate the total pressure exerted by a gas?

The total pressure is the sum of all individual partial pressures (Ptotal = P1 + P2 + P3… Pn).

What law states that the amount of a gas in solution is proportional to its partial pressure?

Henry’s Law.

How does the thickness of the respiratory membrane affect gas diffusion?

Increased thickness (e.g., due to edema) decreases the rate of gas diffusion.

What happens to oxygen levels in arterial blood as it leaves the lungs?

Oxygen levels increase, with arterial blood typically saturated with ~98% O2.

What is the significance of the hemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve?

It illustrates the relationship between the percentage of hemoglobin saturation and the partial pressure of oxygen (PO2).

Why is CO2 more soluble than O2 in blood?

CO2's higher solubility and greater diffusion ability increase its transport efficiency in the bloodstream.