NEETZoologyBreathing and Exchange of Gases
What is the difference in solubility between CO₂ and O₂?
Options
- ACO₂ is 5 times more soluble than O₂
- BCO₂ is 10 times more soluble than O₂
- CCO₂ is 20-25 times more soluble than O₂
- DCO₂ is 50 times more soluble than O₂
Correct answer
C. CO₂ is 20-25 times more soluble than O₂
Step-by-step solution
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. The diffusion membrane is made up of three major layers namely, the thin squamous epithelium of alveoli, the endothelium of alveolar capillaries and the basement substance (composed of a thin basement membr