Differences in Inspired & Expired Air
- Air that is breathed in and air that is breathed out has different amounts of gases in it due to exchanges that take place in the alveoli
- Atmospheric air contains around 20 – 21% oxygen, of which we only absorb around 4 – 5%, breathing out air containing around 16% oxygen
- Normal carbon dioxide content of air is around 0.04% and, as carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli from the blood, we breathe out air containing around 4% carbon dioxide
- The air we breathe out contains more water vapour than when we breathe it in, and the temperature of exhaled air is higher than inhaled air
Composition of Air Table