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pCO2 in blood and alveoli question

Complete the sentence

Arteriole blood PCO2 would be the same as alveolar PCO2 if the arterial blood and the alveolar air... (2 marks)




Any ideas???
Reply 1
Avatar for j00ni
j00ni
9
They would be the same if gas exchange was allowed to equilibriate, i.e. if the person's circulatory and respiratory system's shut down, preventing the constant concentration gradient that is usually maintained by ventilation and perfusion of the lungs

/edit: of course that would probably not be entirely true due to the binding capacity of haemoglobin - but i am not entirely certain
Reply 2
Avatar for Revenged
Revenged
OP
15
j00ni
They would be the same if gas exchange was allowed to equilibriate, i.e. if the person's circulatory and respiratory system's shut down, preventing the constant concentration gradient that is usually maintained by ventilation and perfusion of the lungs

/edit: of course that would probably not be entirely true due to the binding capacity of haemoglobin - but i am not entirely certain


Cheers - that makes sense!
Reply 3
Avatar for nikk
nikk
15
j00ni
/edit: of course that would probably not be entirely true due to the binding capacity of haemoglobin - but i am not entirely certain

If I remember correctly, haemoglobin is 98% saturated at a PO2 of 100mmHg. Since this is less than the PO2 at sea level, I should think it would be able to equilibriate - providing that there is sufficient haemoglobin present.

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