Question

Compared to O2, diffusion rate of CO2 through the diffusion membrane per unit difference in partial pressure is much higher. Explain.

Answer 1

a gradient is present for CO2 in the opposite direction, i.e., from tissues to blood and blood to alveoli. As the solubility of CO2 is 20-25 times higher than that of O2, the amount of CO2 that can diffuse through the diffusion membrane per unit difference in partial pressure is much higher compared to that of O2.