Which of the following would decrease diffusion of a gas across the alveolar/pulmonary capillary membrane?
A) an increase in thickness of the membrane
B) an increase in surface area of the membrane
C) an increase in the partial pressure gradient
D) two of these answers.
E) all of these answers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in the thickness of the membrane would increase the resistance to gas diffusion, thereby decreasing the diffusion of a gas across the alveolar/pulmonary capillary membrane.

Answer: D 
 An increase in the thickness of the membrane (A) and a decrease in the surface area of the membrane (B) would both increase the resistance to gas diffusion, thereby decreasing the diffusion of a gas across the alveolar/pulmonary capillary membrane. An increase in the partial pressure gradient (C) would increase the rate of gas diffusion.

Which of the Following Would Decrease Diffusion of a Gas