How are lungs are adapted for gaseous exchange?

The alveoli are cell wall is one cell thick = short diffusion pathway. The alveoli are moist - so gasses can dissolve and move quicker. The alveoli are small and increase the surface area - diffuse quicker. The capillaries are cell wall is one cell thick = short diffusion pathway. There are many capillaries - short diffusion pathway. The chest is elastic - so recoil expels air with high CO2 and low O2 to maintain a high diffusion gradient.

GH
Answered by Georgia H. Biology tutor

2036 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain what advantage a large surface area to volume ratio will provide for a penguin living in Antarctica


What is diffusion? (GSCE: OCR, Edexcel, AQA)


Name 3 things that can affect the activity of enzymes


By which two processes does glucose enter cells in the human body?


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences