Gce Model Questions Vol1 2021 Biology Question 5

Practice essay / theory question 5 from the 2021 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination. This question covers Transport .

Gce Model Questions Vol1 2021 Biology Essay / Theory
Topic: Transport
Question 5 GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2021 • BIOLOGY • essay

A climber ascends to a high‑altitude camp at 3 500 m where the atmospheric pressure is about 65 % of sea‑level pressure. The reduced ambient pressure lowers the partial pressure of oxygen in the inspired air and consequently the alveolar PO₂. Answer the following questions.

Question Parts

( a )
Explain how the partial‑pressure gradient between alveolar air and pulmonary capillary blood drives the diffusion of O₂ into the blood.
( b )
Describe two structural adaptations of the human respiratory system that enhance oxygen uptake when the alveolar PO₂ is low, and explain why each adaptation is beneficial.
( c )
Using the principle expressed in Fick’s law of diffusion, discuss qualitatively how an increase in alveolar surface area and a decrease in diffusion distance would affect the rate of O₂ diffusion into the blood.

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About This Question

This is Gce Model Questions Vol1 2021 Biology Question 5. It is one of the essay questions from the 2021 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

The question covers Transport .

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