11.1.3

Alveoli

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Alveoli

The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs. Oxygen and carbon dioxide move between the air and blood by diffusion in the alveoli. Alveoli are adapted to be very efficient at exchanging substances:

Illustrative background for Large surface areaIllustrative background for Large surface area ?? "content

Large surface area

  • Alveoli have a large surface area.
Illustrative background for Surrounded by capillariesIllustrative background for Surrounded by capillaries ?? "content

Surrounded by capillaries

  • Alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries and so:
    • they have a rich oxygen supply.
    • the distance for gases to diffuse is small.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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