The pulmonary circulation does not directly serve the metabolic needs of body tissues.

The pulmonary circulation does not directly serve the metabolic needs of body tissues.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Mostly True

Answer: (B)

Pulmonary circulation is specialized for gas exchange in the lungs. It carries blood from the right heart to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is picked up, then returns to the left heart. The metabolic needs of body tissues—oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal—are met by the systemic circulation, which delivers oxygenated blood to all tissues via the left heart and returns deoxygenated blood to the right heart. Because the lungs’ primary role is gas exchange rather than nourishing tissues, the pulmonary circuit does not directly serve the metabolic needs of body tissues. Its contribution is indirect, by oxygenating blood that the systemic circulation then uses to support metabolism.

Pulmonary circulation is specialized for gas exchange in the lungs. It carries blood from the right heart to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is picked up, then returns to the left heart. The metabolic needs of body tissues—oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal—are met by the systemic circulation, which delivers oxygenated blood to all tissues via the left heart and returns deoxygenated blood to the right heart. Because the lungs’ primary role is gas exchange rather than nourishing tissues, the pulmonary circuit does not directly serve the metabolic needs of body tissues. Its contribution is indirect, by oxygenating blood that the systemic circulation then uses to support metabolism.