Which is a consequence of an efficient respiratory system?

Which is a consequence of an efficient respiratory system?

• A. Higher resting heart rate
• B. More oxygen can reach blood and muscles
• C. More carbon dioxide can be stored
• D. Decreased lung capacity

Answer: (B)

An efficient respiratory system improves gas exchange and oxygen delivery to the muscles. The lungs provide a large surface area of thin alveolar membranes where oxygen from the air diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. When this process works well, more oxygen enters the blood and can be carried to working muscles, supporting aerobic respiration and sustaining activity. That’s why the consequence described—more oxygen reaching the blood and muscles—is the best choice. Storing carbon dioxide isn’t something the lungs do; they remove it as a waste product. Decreased lung capacity would indicate reduced, not increased, function, and a higher resting heart rate isn’t a direct result of efficiency—often, efficiency can help keep resting heart rate lower because the body meets its oxygen needs more readily.

An efficient respiratory system improves gas exchange and oxygen delivery to the muscles. The lungs provide a large surface area of thin alveolar membranes where oxygen from the air diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. When this process works well, more oxygen enters the blood and can be carried to working muscles, supporting aerobic respiration and sustaining activity. That’s why the consequence described—more oxygen reaching the blood and muscles—is the best choice.

Storing carbon dioxide isn’t something the lungs do; they remove it as a waste product. Decreased lung capacity would indicate reduced, not increased, function, and a higher resting heart rate isn’t a direct result of efficiency—often, efficiency can help keep resting heart rate lower because the body meets its oxygen needs more readily.