The oxygen and carbon dioxide are the respiratory gases. The two sites of the respiratory gas exchange are alveoli and the tissues. The blood is the medium, which transports the gases from alveoli to the cells.
Answer to Problem 1E
Solution:
The correct answer is option (c) the rate at which oxygen is consumed in respiring tissues.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation/justification for the correct answer:
The correct answer is option (c) the rate at which oxygen is consumed in respiring tissues. In normal conditions, the rate of diffusion of the oxygen from the blood to the tissues is equal to the amount of the oxygen diffused from the alveoli to the blood to ensure a constant supply of oxygen. Hence, the correct answer is option (c).
Explanation for incorrect answer:
Option (a) the rate at which oxygen is delivered to alveoli in inspired air. The amount of oxygen in the inspired air is dependent on the amount of oxygen present in the environment. This is not in control of our body. Hence, it is an incorrect answer.
Option (b) the rate at which oxygen is carried out of the alveoli in expired air. The oxygen expired out is very less as compared to the rate of the oxygen tissue demands. If the rate is determined by the expired oxygen volume, then a sufficient volume of oxygen would not be available to the tissues. Hence, it is an incorrect answer.
Option (d) the rate at which carbon dioxide is produced in respiring tissues. The rate of the oxygen delivered from the alveoli to the lung is determined by the amount of the oxygen used by the tissues. Hence, it is an incorrect answer.
Option (e) the rate at which carbon dioxide leaves the pulmonary capillaries and enters alveolar air. The rate of carbon dioxide does not determine the rate of the oxygen delivered from the alveoli. Hence, it is an incorrect answer.
In normal conditions, the rate of diffusion of the oxygen from the blood to the tissues is equal to the amount of the oxygen diffused from the alveoli to the blood. Hence, the correct answer is option (c).
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