The human lungs Flashcards
Name all structures associated with the human lungs and respiration system
Windpipe (Trachea) Bronchi Plural Membrane Lung Heart Ribs Inter coastal muscle Diaphragm Bronchioles
Draw and label a single alveolus
Include-Bronchiole capillary epithelial cell What diffuses where Oxygenated blood Deoxygenated blood
What features allow gas exchange to occur in the lungs, specifically the alveolus
Very large surface area, average adult has 500-700 alveoli
Very thin gas exchange surface: Alveoli walls and capillary walls are both only one cell thick
Alveoli are well supplied with a network of capillaries, so oxygen is continually taken away from the alveoli by red blood cells in the blood and carbon dioxide is continually being brought to the alveoli.
Why does Gas exchange occur in the alveoli
In the alveoli, there is a high concentration of oxygen and a low concentration of carbon dioxide. Oxygen dissolves in the layer of moisture, so it can diffuse through cell membranes. In the blood is a low concentration of oxygen, so the oxygen diffuses into the blood (high to low). The blood has a high concentration of carbon dioxide, so diffuses from the blood into the alveoli (High to low)
