Anderson - Gas Diffusion

Instructor(s): Lisa Anderson

Session Objectives:

1. Review partial pressure. Describe the partial pressure gradients that permit the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide across alveolar and tissue membranes. 
2. Describe the adaptations of the pulmonary system (i.e., large surface area, thin diffusion barrier, stable gradients) that promote diffusion of gases between the lungs and the blood system.
3. Apply Fick’s law of diffusion to the alveolar environment.
4. Describe diffusion of O2 and CO2 in the lungs.
5. Draw a graph of PaO2 versus distance along a pulmonary capillary from arterial to venous ends for a healthy person
6. Explain perfusion limitation and diffusion limitation of gas transfer why oxygen is typically a perfusion limited gas.
7. Define the diffusing capacity of the lung, DLCO

Session Materials:

Oct 14 8 AM Anderson Diffusion and gas exchange.pptx Download Oct 14 8 AM Anderson Diffusion and gas exchange.pptx

Oct 14 8 AM Anderson Diffusion and gas exchange.pdf Download Oct 14 8 AM Anderson Diffusion and gas exchange.pdf

Key to Session on Diffusion and gas exchange.pdf Download Key to Session on Diffusion and gas exchange.pdf   

Session Recording