How are the lungs specialised for exchanging gases?

The lungs are made up of many air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli have many folds which create a large surface area.  The larger the surface area, the greater the area of alveolar cell membrane available for gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse across. Therefore the lungs will be able to exchange greater quantities of gases, in the same amount of time, than organs with a lower surface area and therefore will be better at exchanging gases. 

LA
Answered by Laura A. Biology tutor

3152 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why dead plants decay faster in soil which earthworms inhabit compared to soil which lacks any earthworms.


Explain two ways in which the human body reacts to an increase in body temperature above the optimum.


State the similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells


Explain Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection (5 marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning