A significant increase in the amount of interstitial fluid surrounding the capillary beds of a human's lungs will cause
A) a decrease in the amount of work needed for effective ventilation of the lungs.
B) an increase of pressure that would cause the capillary beds to burst.
C) an increase in the amount of oxygen moving from the lungs into the blood.
D) a decrease in the amount of oxygen moving from the lungs into the blood.
E) an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide moving from the blood to the lungs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in interstitial fluid surrounding capillary beds would function to thicken the respiratory membrane, placing a greater distance between air and blood for gas exchange. This would impede the diffusion of oxygen from the lungs into the blood, resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen moving from the lungs into the blood.

A Significant Increase in the Amount of Interstitial Fluid Surrounding