Chapter 2, Problem 83A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The milligrams (mg) of oxygen carried by each gram of hemoglobin in a human body needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Unit conversion is defined as a multi-step process involving division or multiplication by a numerical factor, rounding and selection of correct number of significant digits. Conversion is factor is the ratio of equivalent value with different units.

Answer to Problem 83A

$\text{1}\text{.34}$ milliliters of oxygen are present in each gram of hemoglobin.

Explanation of Solution

Given Information: A person have $\text{15}\text{g}$ of hemoglobin (Hb) in every $\text{100}\text{mL}$ of his blood. Also, $\text{10}\text{.0}\text{mL}$ of his blood can carry $\text{2}\text{.01}\text{mL}$ of oxygen

Calculation: Conversion factor is needed for the calculation of number of milligrams (mg) of oxygen is present in each gram of hemoglobin. The conversion factor is as:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{mL}\text{of oxygen}\text{=}\frac{\text{2}\text{.01}\text{mL oxygen}}{\text{10 mL blood}}\text{×}\frac{\text{100 mL blood}}{\text{15 g hemoglobin}}\\ =\text{1}\text{.34 mL oxygen/g hemoglobin}\end{array}$

Hence, $\text{1}\text{.34}$ milliliters of oxygen are present in each gram of hemoglobin.

Conclusion

$\text{1}\text{.34}$ milliliters of oxygen are present in each gram of hemoglobin.