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O2 saturation in different locations (percents).

a) 100% - lungs, 70% - arteries, 20% - tissues
b) 90% - lungs, 80% - arteries, 40% - tissues
c) 98% - lungs, 95% - arteries, 60% - tissues
d) 80% - lungs, 60% - arteries, 30% - tissues

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Oxygen saturation is highest in the lungs and remains high in the arteries, while saturation in tissues is lower due to oxygen usage by cells. The correct saturation levels are 98% in the lungs, 95% in the arteries, and 60% in tissues. These figures reflect the process of oxygenation and deoxygenation as blood circulates through the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the oxygen saturation levels in various parts of the circulatory system. The percent saturation of oxygen describes how many hemoglobin sites are occupied by oxygen in the blood. Oxygen saturation is highest in the lungs, where it binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells. Afterward, these blood cells transport oxygen through the arteries to various tissues in the body.

Normal percent saturation in the lungs should be approximately 98-100%, as this is where oxygen enters the bloodstream and binds with hemoglobin. In the systemic arteries, which distribute oxygenated blood throughout the body, saturation should typically be still high at about 95-100%. Tissue saturation levels are lower because tissues use up the oxygen; however, there's still a reserve of oxygen in the venous blood, preventing saturation from dropping as low as the options suggest.

The correct saturation percentages should be c) 98% - lungs, 95% - arteries, and 60% - tissues. These values illustrate that the lungs have a high oxygen saturation level as they are the point of entry for oxygen into the body, whereas arterial saturation remains high but slightly less than that of the lungs as oxygen is being transported to tissues. In tissues, saturation is lower to facilitate oxygen delivery from hemoglobin to the cells.

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