Question

IF the O2 content in arteries that carry blood to exercising skeletal muscle is
20 mL/100 mL, and the average cardiac output is 10 L/min over a 15 min run, calculate how much of O2 is delivered to the muscles during this run.

Answer 1

The O2 content in artery that carry blood to exercising skeletal muscle is 20 mL per 100 mL of blood.

The average cardiac output is 10 L/min over a 15 min run. Cardiac output (CO) is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Total amount of blood pumped by heart to the muscles during the run

= 10 L/min × 15 min

= 150 L

Since per 100 mL of blood that is carried to skeletal muscle, the amount of oxygen (O2) delivered is 20 mL. And total of 150 L of blood is delivered.

So, the amount of O2 delivered to the muscles during the run

= (20/100) × 150 L

= 30 L

Thus the total amount of of O2 that is delivered to the muscles during this run is 30 L (30000 mL).