Blood entering the capillaries of the alveoli has dissolved CO 2 at 46 mmHg and is separated from air in the alveoli, which contains CO 2 at a partial pressure of 40 mmHg, by the respiratory membrane. What will be the concentration of dis- solved CO 2 of the blood capillaries leaving the alveoli? A. 40 mmHg B. 43 mmHg C. 46 mmHg D. 86 mmHg
Option A. Carbon dioxide will continue to diffuse from blood throughout the respiratory membrane into the alveoli at the same time as the concentration gradient exists. The gradient will exist till the dissolved CO 2 withinside the blood withinside the capillaries falls to 40 mmHg.
