Partial pressure gradients
What Partial pressure gradients means in Physical Education A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Partial pressure gradients
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Reference: AQA
Binding depends on the partial pressure of oxygen: high at the alveoli, so oxygen loads onto haemoglobin, and lower at active muscle, so oxygen dissociates and diffuses into the fibres.
The partial pressure of each gas determines the direction of diffusion, and the difference between alveolar and blood partial pressures maintains continuous exchange.
Topics that use Partial pressure gradients
- Respiratory system (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Airway narrowing
- Alveolar and muscle exchange
- Baroreceptor
- Baroreceptors
- Carbon monoxide, oxygen transport and aerobic capacity
- Chemoreceptor
- Chemoreceptors
- Chemoreceptors and sensory detection
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