2006-12-20 04:56:53 · 6 answers · asked by mazza 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The key is not what happens to the Nitrogen gas in the lungs, but the changing composition of the remaining gases.
As the Oxygen gas is absorbed and Carbon dioxide released there is a subtle change in the mass of the gas mixture. Carbon dioxide has a greater mass than molecular Oxygen. In addition the water vapor of expired air is greater.
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2006-12-20 05:11:29 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 13⤊ 1⤋
you besides would expire water vapor which as not present interior the inspired air. The nitrogen quantity remains the comparable because of the fact there's no mechanism to actively catch it, and that nitrogen on your blood and interior the air is at equilibrium for a given consistent environmental stress (which isn't the case while divers come back from deep underwater, for this reason the decompression technique mandatory to gradually vent out dissolved nitrogen).
2016-12-30 17:03:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is NO difference in inhaled and exhaled air as nitrogen can not be used in gas form by the body.
The reason for the difference in percentage is just because it is a percentage of the total. As the oxygen and carbon dioxide figures change it alters the mathematical percentage of nitrogen....BUT it is purely mathematical NOT an actual quantity change!
Hope this helps
2006-12-20 05:46:51 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some nitrogen is also absorbed by the body while Carbon Dioxide is expelled and Oxygen used.
2006-12-20 05:00:44 · answer #4 · answered by Michael C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its possible that the actual volume of nitrogen remians the same but that of the other gases changes resulting in nitrogen have a different percentage of what comes out.
Warning: it is possible i'm wrong its been a few years since i did biology.
2006-12-20 05:14:02 · answer #5 · answered by Edward M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both are 78%...
Inhaled air is
78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
0.04% carbon Dioxide (yes we do inhale CO2)
1-4% Water vapour
exhaled air
78% nitrogen
17% Oxygen
4% CO2
1-4% water vapour
(Yes I realise the % dont add up!)
2006-12-20 05:45:00 · answer #6 · answered by jackyboy1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋