What is partial pressure how does it help in gaseous exchange during respiration
Dear Student,
Partial pressure is the pressure contributed by an individual gas in a mixture of gases. It is represented as pO2 for oxygen and pCO2 for carbon dioxide.
Please refer the attached image which shows the partial pressures (in mm Hg) of Oxygen and Carbon dioxide at different parts involved in diffusion in comparison to those in the atmosphere.
Now, we can infer from the table that a concentration gradient for oxygen from alveoli to blood and blood to tissues exists. Similarly, a gradient is present for CO2 in the opposite direction (from tissues to blood and blood to alveoli). This concentration gradient facilitates transportation of gases through the diffusion membrane during respiration.
Regards.
Partial pressure is the pressure contributed by an individual gas in a mixture of gases. It is represented as pO2 for oxygen and pCO2 for carbon dioxide.
Please refer the attached image which shows the partial pressures (in mm Hg) of Oxygen and Carbon dioxide at different parts involved in diffusion in comparison to those in the atmosphere.
Now, we can infer from the table that a concentration gradient for oxygen from alveoli to blood and blood to tissues exists. Similarly, a gradient is present for CO2 in the opposite direction (from tissues to blood and blood to alveoli). This concentration gradient facilitates transportation of gases through the diffusion membrane during respiration.
Regards.