alveoli and gas exchange Flashcards
1
Q
what are alveoli surrounded by
A
a network of capillaries
2
Q
what is the wall of the alveoli made out of
A
single layer of thin flat cells called alveolar epithelium
3
Q
what are the capillary walls made out of
A
capillary endothelium
4
Q
what helps alveoli return to its shape
A
elastin, an elastic protein
5
Q
what happens to oxygen in the alveoli
A
it is diffused through the alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium
6
Q
factors effecting the rate of diffusion
A
thin exchange surface
large surface area
