Consider a simplified model of the respiratory system, where each lung consists
ID: 3473145 • Letter: C
Question
Consider a simplified model of the respiratory system, where each lung consists of a single air sac, called an alveolus (plural: alveoli). Carbon dioxide produced in the muscle tissue travels in the venous blood and is offloaded in the alveolus, and is subsequently breathed off. The blood then flows from the alveolar capillary into the arterial system with a lower carbon dioxide content than was in the venous blood. When one of the two alveoli in this model is blocked off (i.e., it is not being ventilated; no gas is going into or out of the alveolus), the carbon dioxide content of the blood initially rises until it reaches a new steady state.
Which of the following is true with regards to the system with a blocked alveolus relative to how it was prior to the blockage?
Consider a simplified model of the respiratory system, where each lung consists of a single air sac, called an alveolus (plural: alveoli). Carbon dioxide produced in the muscle tissue travels in the venous blood and is offloaded in the alveolus, and is subsequently breathed off. The blood then flows from the alveolar capillary into the arterial system with a lower carbon dioxide content than was in the venous blood. When one of the two alveoli in this model is blocked off (i.e., it is not being ventilated; no gas is going into or out of the alveolus), the carbon dioxide content of the blood initially rises until it reaches a new steady state Which of the following is true with regards to the system with a blocked alveolus relative to how it was prior to the blockage? O The concentration gradient of CO2 in the functional alveolus is now less steep O The new steady state concentration of CO2 is lower The PCO2 of the gas exiting the functional alveolus is lower The blood offloads more CO2 at the functional alveolus.Explanation / Answer
In this scenario the concentration gradient of CO2 in the functional alveolus is now less steep as there is built up of CO2 in the blood and this would decrease the concentration gradient required for the elimination of CO2 outside the body.