Exchange surfaces and gas exchange

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Question 4
Medium

A patient suffering from a combination of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis undergoes a clinical assessment of their lung function. Due to these conditions:

  1. The total surface area of their alveoli is reduced by 40%.
  2. The thickness of the alveolar-capillary membrane (diffusion pathway) is increased by 50%.
  3. The partial pressure gradient of oxygen across the membrane is reduced by 20%.

According to Fick's Law of diffusion, what is the ratio of the rate of oxygen diffusion in this patient compared to that of a healthy individual?

0.320.320.32

0.480.480.48

0.720.720.72

0.960.960.96

Exchange surfaces and gas exchange Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Biology
  3. /Exchange surfaces and gas exchange