3.2.7

Exchange Surfaces

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Exchange Surfaces

Exchange surfaces are surfaces that are adapted to maximise the efficiency of gas and solute (a substance dissolved in a liquid) exchange across them. Exchange surface such as alveoli have the following adaptations:

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Large surface area

  • A large surface area allows more of a substance to diffuse at the same time.
  • Alveoli create a large surface area for gas exchange in the lungs.
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Thin membrane

  • A thin membrane reduces the diffusion distance.
  • The walls of the alveoli are one cell thick.
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Blood supply

  • Where substances are exchanged through blood in animals, exchange surfaces are densely packed with blood vessels:
    • These blood vessels replenish the blood supply to maintain a high concentration gradient by bringing in new blood as diffusion starts to even out the concentrations.
  • There are many capillaries around the alveoli.
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Ventilation

  • In animals, if a gas is exchanged, the surface is ventilated (through breathing) to maintain a high concentration gradient and increase the rate of exchange.
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Kept clear

  • Any particles of dust will block an exchange surface and reduce the rate of exchange.
  • Goblet cells and cilia cells line the airways to prevent this.
  • Goblet cells produce sticky mucus that traps particles and cilia cells waft the mucus up and out of the airway.

Jump to other topics

1The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3Organism Functions

3.1Respiration

3.2Gas Exchange

3.3Transport

3.4Excretion

3.5Coordination & Response

4Reproduction & Inheritance

5Ecology

6Biological Resources

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