Question

1. trace the path that oxygen would take from the pulmonary capillaries, thru the heart, and to a myocyte (muscle cell).
2. Explain what happens to oxygen in the myocyte. What does the cell use the oxygen for, and what does it become? (Your answer may be general, but make sure you are thinking in terms of respiration.)

Answer 1

The oxygen molecules will follow the following path :

pulmonary capillaries--> lungs --> venules--> pulmonary veins --> left atrium --> left ventricle--> aortic arch-->  ascending aorta --> left and right coronary artery --> myocyte.
When oxygen reaches the myocyte it is taken up by the cells to produce energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. The cardiac cell takes up oxygen and gives out CO2 that is taken by the blood vessels and exchanged in the alveoli to be removed from the body through expiration.