In the countercurrent exchange system, the percentage of available oxygen extracted from the blood exceeds 80%. What would this percentage be if oxygen were instead obtained through concurrent exchange?

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In a concurrent exchange system, the efficiency of oxygen extraction is significantly lower than in a countercurrent system. The maximum theoretical efficiency is about 50%, as the gradient for exchange diminishes along the exchange path, leading to a lower overall transfer of oxygen compared to the countercurrent mechanism.

In the Countercurrent Exchange System, the Percentage of Available Oxygen