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blood entering the lungs has a partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) of 40 mmHg and a partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) of 46 mmHg; alveoli, on the other hand, have a PO2 of 105 mmHg and a PCO2 of 40 mmHg. As the blood moves past the alveoli, oxygen and carbon dioxide will diffuse down their respective partial pressure gradients.

Oxygen will move from the alveolar space (PO2 of 105 mmHg) to the blood stream (PO2 of 40 mmHg). Carbon dioxide will move from the blood (PCO2 of 46 mmHg) to the alveolar space (PCO2 of 40 mmHg).

As the blood leaves the alveolus, the PO2 and PCO2 will have essentially equilibrated with the alveolar air.

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14y ago

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