One of the primary functions of the blood is to carry oxygen from the lungs to cells in all parts of the body. One mechanism of transport is to dissolve the oxygen in the plasma as the blood passes...

One of the primary functions of the blood is to carry oxygen from the lungs to cells in all parts of the body. One mechanism of transport is to dissolve the oxygen in the plasma as the blood passes through the lungs. The oxygen concentration equilibrates between the blood and the inhaled air. Assume that the concentration of oxygen in the inhaled air is not affected by the transport of oxygen into the blood plasma. In addition, the blood plasma is well mixed so the concentration of dissolved oxygen is constant throughout the vessel. Assume that blood plasma has the same material properties as water, and that the mole fraction of 0 2 at 1 atm in 38°C air is 0.145, Henry's constant is 5.21 x 104 atrn/mole fraction of 02 in water, molecular weight of 02 is 32, and molecular weight of H2O is 18. 1) Find the concentration (percent by mass) of dissolved oxygen in the blood plasma. 2) Does this concentration seem reasonable? 3) What are the other factors involved in the transport of oxygen to the cells?