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Multiple Choice
Which statement accurately describes pulmonary gas exchange of oxygen?
A
Oxygen is actively transported from the alveoli into the blood using ATP.
B
Oxygen and carbon dioxide move in the same direction across the alveolar membrane.
C
Oxygen diffuses from the pulmonary capillaries into the alveoli because the partial pressure of oxygen is higher in the blood than in the alveoli.
D
Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries because the partial pressure of oxygen is higher in the alveoli than in the blood.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of pulmonary gas exchange: Pulmonary gas exchange occurs in the lungs, specifically in the alveoli, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the blood. This process is driven by differences in partial pressures of gases.
Clarify the role of partial pressure: Partial pressure refers to the pressure exerted by a single gas in a mixture of gases. Gases move from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure through diffusion, which does not require energy (ATP).
Analyze the direction of oxygen movement: In the alveoli, the partial pressure of oxygen is higher than in the pulmonary capillaries. This creates a gradient that drives oxygen to diffuse from the alveoli into the blood in the pulmonary capillaries.
Evaluate the incorrect statements: Oxygen is not actively transported using ATP; it moves passively by diffusion. Oxygen and carbon dioxide do not move in the same direction; oxygen moves into the blood while carbon dioxide moves out of the blood into the alveoli.
Confirm the correct statement: The correct description of pulmonary gas exchange is that oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries because the partial pressure of oxygen is higher in the alveoli than in the blood.