Which alternative best describes what happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide as blood travels through the lungs and muscles?
| Lung | Muscle |
|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|(A) Oxygen dissolves in blood - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2009 - Paper 1
Question 9
Which alternative best describes what happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide as blood travels through the lungs and muscles?
| Lung | Mu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which alternative best describes what happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide as blood travels through the lungs and muscles?
| Lung | Muscle |
|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
|(A) Oxygen dissolves in blood - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2009 - Paper 1
Step 1
Lung: Oxygen binds strongly to haemoglobin.
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Answer
In the lungs, oxygen is primarily transported by binding to haemoglobin molecules located in red blood cells. This strong binding facilitates efficient oxygen uptake from inhaled air.
Step 2
Muscle: Carbon dioxide dissolves in blood.
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Answer
In the muscles, carbon dioxide, a byproduct of cellular respiration, is transported back to the lungs mainly in dissolved form, although some also binds to haemoglobin. However, the statement is specifically focused on the dissolution of carbon dioxide in blood—indicating its removal from tissues.