Respiratory problems are treated with devices that deliver air with a higher partial pressure O2. Why?
Respiratory treated devices tt deliver air partial pressure O2 normal air. Why?
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Respiratory treated devices tt deliver air partial pressure O2 normal air. Why?
No tags for this post.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
The body’s respiratory system includes the LUNGS, as i’m sure you know.
In the lungs, there are many tiny sacs called ALVEOLI. Surrounding these are BLOOD CAPILLARIES
When you inhale, air fills the alveoli, and OXYGEN FRON THE AIR diffuses through the ALVEOLI, and through the CAPILLARY WALLS, into the BLOODSTREAM
Red blood cells contain a compound called HAEMOGLOBIN that BONDS to the OXYGEN, and it is transported around the body in the bloodstream.
[note that PERCENTAGE SATURATION refers to the amount of haemoblobin that has bonded to as many oxygen molecules as possible]
At HIGH oxygen partial pressures (i.e. in the lung normally), haemoglobin is VERY EFFICIENT at taking up oxygen, and has a HIGH PERCENTAGE SATURATION
However, if the oxygen partial pressure is increased, the percentage saturation of haemoglobin becomes EVEN HIGHER
So to outline everything
- Increasing oxygen partial pressure increases PERCENTAGE SATURATION of haemoglpbin in the blood
- Increasing percentage saturation increases oxygen being transported in the blood
- This increases oxygen being delivered to RESPIRING TISSUE in the body (e.g. muscle)
- Finally, this acts to overcome respiratory problems (e.g. breathing problems) that would otherwise REDUCE oxygen being transported to, or used by respiring tissue =]
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