Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Hannah LS on 10/12/2018 11:14:14

Title: How do organisms get oxygen from liquids?
Post by: Hannah LS on 10/12/2018 11:14:14

Tom asks:

Hello. What do you know about 'Liquid Ventilation'? I am doing a research project on 'Liquid Ventilation' and was hoping that I could gain some extra information from you all as you seem to be interested in strange and obscure aspects of science.

Any thoughts?

Title: Re: How do organisms get oxygen from liquids?
Post by: Kryptid on 12/12/2018 05:32:00

The lungs of mammals are insufficiently efficient at extracting oxygen from water to be able to respire in it. Water simply cannot carry enough dissolved oxygen for them. There are, however, other liquids that can carry significantly more dissolved oxygen. Perfluorocarbons are one such substance and can even carry more oxygen than human blood can. With the increased oxygen capacity, diffusion happens at a rate sufficient for lungs to function in the liquid.

Title: Re: How do organisms get oxygen from liquids?
Post by: Colin2B on 12/12/2018 08:29:58

Tom
Yes, it is certainly very interesting. Don’t think we have any experts online at the moment, but I assume you’ve found all the std papers eg https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3191624/