diffusion of gases Flashcards
what is Dalton’s law?
- the pressure of a gas is equal to the sum of the pressures of the indivual gases
what is the atmospheric pressure?
- 760mmHg
what is the percentage and partial pressure of nitrogen?
- 78.1%
- 594mmHg
what is the percentage and partial pressure of oxygen?
- 20.9 %
- 159mmHg
what is the percentage and partial pressure of carbon dioxide?
- 0.037%
- 0.25mmHg
does percentage or partial pressure remain the same?
- percentage always remains the same whereas partial pressure can change
describe air in the lungs in relation to water vapour
- fully saturated with water vapour (100% humidity)
- partial pressure of 46mmHg
describe the thickness of the diffusion barrier
- 2 cell thick
- 0.1-1.5 um
- alveolar wall and vascular wall
describe passage of oxygen once it enters the alveoli
- enters alveoli> dissolves in surfactant> crosses alveoli epithelium> fused basement membranes> vascular endothelium> attach to haemoglobin
what is fick’s law of diffusion?
rate of diffusion proportional to (area/ thickness) x (P1-P2) x solubility
how does pressure difference and solubility affect the speed of diffusion?
- greater pressure difference, the faster
- greater the solubility, the faster
does 02 or C02 diffuse quicker?
- C02 diffuses quicker as it is more soluble
what is the gas partial pressure in solution?
- gas and liquid molecules move between air and liquid to achieve equilibrium of PP
what does movement of molecules depend on? (three things)
- temperature
- pressure difference
- solubility
why is the rate of diffusion important- why does it need to be fast enough?
- fast enough so that gases in alveoli and blood equilibrate during passage of blood across an alveolus
when is equilibrium at rest complete? compared to exercise?
- complete at 1/3 of the time blood spends near alveolar air
- less time during exercise
what can diffusion rate affect and limit?
- affects arterial 02 content
- limits functional capacity
what is emphysema?
- limited surface area and poor elastic recoil
what is fibrotic lung disease?
- thick barrier and less lung compliance (expandability)
what is pulmonary oedema caused by?
- pressure changes in capillaries