Questions for the Respiratory System Related

Review Questions for the Respiratory System related questions and content

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide is greatest in

  • A. venous blood
  • B. alveolar air
  • C. expired air
  • D. inspired air
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: venous blood. In the body, carbon dioxide is carried in the blood, primarily in the form of bicarbonate ions. Venous blood, returning from tissues to the heart, has higher levels of carbon dioxide compared to arterial blood. This results in a higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide in venous blood. Alveolar air (B) has a lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide due to gas exchange in the lungs, while expired air (C) has even lower levels as carbon dioxide is exhaled. Inspired air (D) has the lowest partial pressure of carbon dioxide as it has not yet entered the body.