In: Anatomy and Physiology
a person has a resting tidal volume of .5L, an expiratory reserve volume of 1 L, a residual volume of 1.5L and a vital capacity of 5L. About 150ml of the tidal volume represents dead space and 350 ml represents alveolar ventilation. at the end of a normal expiration, 2500 ml of alveolar gas remains in the alveoli and airways (the function residual capacity) In the subsequent inspiration, this volume is mixed with 359 ml of inspirer air to give a total of 2850 ml.
a. what proportion of the original alveolar gas remains in the alveoli after this one breath?
b. why is this value important?
c. what proportion is left on renewed after another breath?