Gas exchange

The diffusion of gasses across the alveoli

Adaptation of alveoli for gas exchange
Alveoli are large in number, and
folded, to provide a large
surface area, to allow for faster
diffusion.

Alveoli are thin allowing for

faster diffusion of gasses

Alveoli has a good blood supply,

by being surrounded by a lot of
blood capillaries.

Alveoli are moist to dissolve the

gases.
Adaptation of alveoli for gas exchange

Alveoli are well ventilated, by breathing, to maintain the

concentration of oxygen high, and carbon dioxide low, inside
the alveoli; this is to maintain the concentration gradient
between the alveoli and the blood, allowing the diffusion of
gases to keep going.

The gradient is also kept by the blood’s continuous flow,

allowing the concentration of the oxygen in the blood at the
alveoli to keep low and the carbon dioxide to remain high.
Composition of inspired air

Oxygen 21%
Carbon dioxide 0.4%

Water vapor is variable.

Composition of expired air

Oxygen 16%

Carbon dioxide 4%
Water vapor higher than inspired.

NB: respiration is responsible for the difference in the gasses

concentration, this is because oxygen is used, while carbon
dioxide and water vapor are produced.
Direction of gas exchange
Oxygen diffuses from the
higher concentration in the
alveoli, to the lower
concentration in the blood.
Carbon dioxide diffuses
from the higher
concentration in the blood
to the lower concentration
in the alveoli.

Water vapor diffuses from

the blood to the alveoli.
“Feel free to share”

–Hasan M. Konty
+201114246754