alleryStart learning →Why does little nitrogen dissolve in blood despite its high partial pressure in air?
ANitrogen is consumed by the alveolar cells
BNitrogen binds tightly to haemoglobin instead
CNitrogen has a very low solubility in blood
DNitrogen is filtered out by the nasal mucosa
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Nitrogen has a very low solubility in blood
1. Henry's law makes the dissolved amount depend on two things: partial pressure and solubility.
2. Nitrogen has a high partial pressure in air, so partial pressure is not the limiting term.
3. Its solubility in blood is very low, and that is what keeps the dissolved amount small.
4. Haemoglobin binds oxygen and carbon dioxide, not nitrogen, so the second option invents a carrier.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Respiratory System", section 22.4 Gas Exchange_
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