Question
In which of the following subjects, the dead space is highest?
Old man
Old woman
Young man
Young woman
Solution
A.
Old man
Dead space is the air that is inhaled by the body in breathing, but does not take part in gas exchange. Not all the air in each breath is able to be used for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. About a third of every resting breath is exhaled exactly as it came into the body. In adults, it is usually in the range of 150 mL. In old man, there is low supply of blood to lungs than woman and hence, they have high dead space.Low supply of blood leads to carrying of less air (oxygen). So as increase in dead space.
