Regarding the alveolar-capillary diffusion
The atrial pressure of O2 or CO2 in blood is due to the gas that is dissolved in plasma
Once an O2 or CO2 gas molecule binds to hemoglobin it no longer contributes to the partial pressure of the gas
Once equilibrium between alveolar and capillary is reached, there is no more diffusion
Partial pressure of gas = gas tension
all of the above are correct
O2 and CO2 are equally the same in solubility
Diffusion rate - which of the following is not true
Directly proportional to the area, solubility and driving pressure
Inversely proportional to the thickness or distance
Loss of capillaries and alveoli will increase area and decrease distance
Concentration difference will affect the driving pressure
High altitudes can decrease the oxygen pressure gradient --> less O2 will diffuse into the blood because now there's a lower driving pressure
Diffusion capacity of lung - different gases
CO is purely diffusion limited
N2O is purely perfusion limited
O2 is mixed (mainly perfusion limited)
all of the following will decrease DLCO (diffusion of CO) except?
anemia
pulmonary fibrosis
emphysema
Polycythemia
