Question

Why is oxygen able to diffuse out of the bloodstream and into the peripheral tissues passively?

O there is a higher concentration of oxygen in the tissues than in the bloodstream.
O the plasma has higher quantities of dissolved proteins.
O there is a lower concentration of oxygen in the tissues than in the bloodstream.
O oxygen has the unique ability to diffuse in or out of any tissue at any time.

Answer 1

Oxygen passively diffuses from the bloodstream into peripheral tissues due to a lower concentration of oxygen in the tissues, creating a pressure gradient that facilitates this exchange. Therefore correct option is C

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxygen is able to diffuse out of the bloodstream and into the peripheral tissues passively because there is a lower concentration of oxygen in the tissues than in the bloodstream. This difference in concentration creates a partial pressure gradient that drives oxygen diffusion. In highly active tissues, such as muscles, oxygen is rapidly used to produce ATP. This decreases the partial pressure of oxygen in these tissues, allowing more oxygen to dissociate from hemoglobin and diffuse into the tissues.

In contrast, tissues like adipose, which have a lower metabolism, use less oxygen, thereby maintaining a higher partial pressure and taking up less oxygen from the bloodstream. Additionally, although the venous blood is considered deoxygenated, it still contains oxygen bound to hemoglobin, serving as a reserve for times of increased tissue demand.